• Landscaper admits to Lebanese loop scam at ATMs in 4 states and D.C.

    Tags: Security
    July 9, 2003
0 Comments

FAIRFAX, Va. -- Federal authorities say a 36-year-old Daytona Beach, Fla., landscaper managed to steal thousands of dollars from banks in the Fairfax County area and several other states during an eight-year ATM crime spree. 

According to a WRAL report, Fairfax county police and U.S. Secret Service agents said Roberto Inzitari used a "Lebanese loop" scheme in which he inserted a device into the ATM card reader to trap cards inside the machine.

He would then approach the victim and claim that the same machine trapped his card the previous day. He told the victims that they might be able to free their card by re-entering their PIN. Inzitari would then watch and memorize the PIN. After the ATM user left, he would remove their card from the machine and use it to empty their account.

Bank security officials began capturing Inzitari's photograph on ATM security cameras beginning back in 1994, but they couldn't get a positive identification.

While visiting relatives in the area, police said Inzitari struck mostly on weekends. His last victim was ripped off just weeks ago in Fairfax County, according to police.

He was arrested in May. In a plea agreement that was accepted late last month, Inzitari admitted stealing more than $97,000 dollars at ATMs in Maryland, North Carolina, South Carolina, Florida and the District of Columbia over the past eight to nine years.

Sentencing is scheduled for September. He could get up to 15 years.

Related Content

Reader Comments

Add a Comment

We welcome your thoughtful comments. All comments will display your real name.

Want to participate in the discussion?

Or log in for complete access.

  • Clear
  • Post
Be the first to post a comment for this story.
Products & Services

CX3 ATM

http://global.networldalliance.com/new/images/products/Itautec_IW1631.gif

731/CX3-ATM

Cash-Recycler - H68NL

http://global.networldalliance.com/new/images/products/4331.png

4331/Cash-Recycler-H68NL

Mobile Payment Terminal-ZT2312

http://global.networldalliance.com/new/images/products/4508.png

4508/Mobile-Payment-Terminal-ZT2312

Full Service ATM

http://global.networldalliance.com/new/images/products/Itautec_IW1501.gif

732/Full-Service-ATM

Airis ATM Part/Component Depot Repair & Technical Support

http://global.networldalliance.com/new/images/products/ATMpartComp_100.gif

479/Airis-ATM-Part-Component-Depot-Repair-Technical-Support

First Line Maintenance

http://global.networldalliance.com/new/images/products/ATMSolutions_repairman.gif

540/First-Line-Maintenance

Reliable Video Surveillance and Monitoring Systems

http://global.networldalliance.com/new/images/products/4548.png

4548/Reliable-Video-Surveillance-and-Monitoring-Systems

Small Footprint ATM - ProCash 2000xe

http://global.networldalliance.com/new/images/products/ProCash2000_sm.jpg

167/Small-Footprint-ATM-ProCash-2000xe

KAL Check Cashing Solutions

http://global.networldalliance.com/new/images/products/KAL_Logo_SF100.gif

1223/KAL-Check-Cashing-Solutions

Depository ATM

http://global.networldalliance.com/new/images/products/Itautec_IW1301.gif

736/Depository-ATM

Diebold Incorporated
Customer Experience Technology Buyer
Request Information From Suppliers
Save time looking for suppliers. Complete this form to submit a Request for Information to our entire network of partners.