The Analysis News & Opinions
Fraudsters sentenced for £110,000 ‘cash claw’ scam
Three Southampton-based criminals, who committed over £110,000 of fraud targeting cash machines, have been sentenced to a combined 9.5 years in prison at Inner London Crown Court. Using a device known as a ‘cash claw’, the
fraudsters were able to steal funds from several cash machines, in Hampshire and along the south coast of England, between February and April 2019. The criminals stole money directly from
the bank by making a cash withdrawal, using the device to trap the money inside the cash machine and then later collecting it. All three men, who resided at the same
address on The Polygon, Southampton, pleaded guilty to conspiracy to steal and possession of an article for use in fraud. Maricel Boghian, 33 and Andrei Colac,
28, were each sentenced to three years and nine months in prison. Stefan- Andrei Baltaret, 18, received a two-year sentence. The sentencing follows a successful
investigation by the Dedicated Card and Payment Crime Unit (DCPCU), a specialist police unit sponsored by the banking industry that investigates the criminal gangs responsible for fraud. Officers from the unit tracked down the
suspects and arrested them at their home address on 29 April 2019. A subsequent search of the flat uncovered
a number of items used to commit fraud. This included plastic cards adapted with a false chip and magnetic strip, strips of metal used to force open ATM cash drawers, and a cash-counting machine. The officers also seized £17,000 of cash
and later, two vehicles from the criminals. Detective Constable Andrew Jackson of
the DCPCU, said: “These criminals thought they could get away with committing large- scale ATM fraud. “This sentence should act as a deterrent to
anyone thinking of committing similar offences and shows that no-one is above the law. Those who commit fraud will be caught and punished.”
8
Enforcement debate set for the industry
As the enforcement industry continues to look to the future, senior professionals will be brought together for a discussion run in association with Bristow & Sutor. CCRMagazine will host the debate which
will see the industry come together to consider different ideas and perspectives, as well as to share their knowledge. Stephen Kiely, editor of CCRMagazine,
said: “It is a real pleasure to be working with Bristow & Sutor to bring together this debate, particularly after their recent acquisitions of Debt Recover Plus (DRP) and Credit Style. It is now very clear that the enforcement industry has done a tremendous
www.CCRMagazine.com
amount of work to improve practices and make the choices that lead to the best possible customer outcomes, so it will be interesting to get a snap-shot of the latest thinking. “Enforcement will always be carried out
under the glare of publicity and it is good to be part of the process by which the industry will continue to do the right thing for the benefit of both clients and customers.”
December 2019
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