Three Men Arrested for Fraud in Palm Beach ATM Conspiracy

June 10, 2014

Three men– a native Russian and two Latvians–were recently arrested by Federal Agents who say that the men were using skimming devices on ATMs in Palm Beach County.

Reports say that the men were charged with conspiracy to knowingly use with intent to defraud one or more counterfeit access devices and knowingly possessing with intent to defraud device-making equipment.

According to the federal complaint, the men’s apprehension started with an investigation by Customs and Border Protection officers who fell upon a package originating from Turkey at a mail hub in Kentucky. The package contained a “flexible shaft machine,” and 15 skimmers or similar devices used to capture credit card information.

Local Customs and Border Patrol Officers set up a controlled delivery of the package to the suburban West Palm Beach address named on the suspicious package and tracked the package to its ultimate destination, bringing them to the three arrestees.

A search warrant of the apartment was executed and agents found more than 100 Wal-Mart gift cards, an unknown amount of U.S. currency wrapped in bundles, external hard drives, and an access device reader back plate with electronics. Agents also found several external metal cover plates for ATMs that had pin holes drilled in with electronics and batteries wired on the backside of the plate.

One of the men admitted to regularly doing “jobs” which included being given ATM cards and pin numbers to withdraw money.

If convicted, the men could serve significant prison time for their part in the fraud, as well immigration consequences, including deportation.

At the Law Offices of Whittel & Melton, we understand the difference a skilled criminal defense attorney can have on the outcome of a criminal case. Our Palm Beach County Fraud and White Collar Crime attorneys are dedicated to providing clients with a superior criminal defense by utilizing discovery and on-staff investigators at our disposal to build an effective strategy to fight charges being brought against you, and to build a defense to the government’s case. We have offices throughout the state of Florida, including Boca Raton, and offer potential clients a free initial case evaluation to discuss how we may be able to help you with your counterfeiting case.

Call us today: Local: (561) 367-8777 or statewide, toll free: (866) 608-5529.