STRATEGIC PARTNERS
June 17, 2002
PETALING JAYA, Malaysia - Thieves using fake ATM cards and access to computer accounts stole RM100,000 ($26,000) from customers at four Malaysian banks the weekend of June 15-16.
Police officials said more than 40 customers at banks throughout the Petaling Jaya region had reported illegal withdrawals of between RM1,000 ($260) and RM10,000 ($2,600).
According to police, the thieves appear to have used cloned ATM cards and hacked into computer bank accounts. The perpetrators allegedly withdrew more than the maximum limit on some accounts, leading to speculation that hacking was involved.
The illegal withdrawals were made on June 15, 16, and 17. The June 17 transactions were made before the banks opened.
The Malayasia Star online did not name the banks that were involved. Police in Petaling Jaya have established a special unit to investigate the case.
