News

International ATM skimming bust nets 13 alleged thieves in Chicago

March 26, 2014

The FBI on Tuesday arrested 13 individuals in Chicago on allegations that they participated in an international ATM skimming and money laundering operation that took in hundreds of thousands of dollars.

Two other alleged members of the skimming gang were arrested in Sofia, Bulgaria; the U.S. is seeking their extradition for trial.

The indictment charges that accused ring members skimmed card data and PIN numbers at ATMs in Europe, then sent the data via Skype or email to compatriots in the U.S. who used the information to create counterfeit payment cards.

The fake cards were then used to steal money at ATMs in the Chicago area. Cash was drawn simultaneously from numerous ATMs; to work around daily withdrawal limits, transactions were carried out immediately before and after midnight.

Also charged in the indictment is BG Center Rodina, a MoneyGram funds transfer business that was allegedly used to launder funds and wire payments to ring members overseas.