State Bank of Vietnam, Nghe An branch, speaks out after 3 Chinese people stole ATM card information

A representative of the State Bank of Nghe An branch said that a local commercial bank branch reported the incident after discovering a device that stole information attached to an ATM. Recognizing this as a dangerous crime, the State Bank has requested units to ensure the safety of ATM operations to prevent and combat card crimes.

Bank card crimes are becoming increasingly complex. Photo: PB

The State Bank of Vietnam, Nghe An branch, requires units to review and inspect the equipment and management of ATMs to ensure security and safety. In particular, pay attention to reviewing the installation and upgrading of software and hardware to prevent copying and theft of ATM card information. Strengthen monitoring of ATM transactions, detect suspected fraudulent and counterfeit transactions such as high-limit card transactions; large-value withdrawals, continuous and unusual withdrawals at midnight.

Commercial bank branches and credit institutions must coordinate and exchange information with relevant units in informing and propagating to customers about service quality, security and safety of ATM operations as well as crime prevention and combat related to ATMs, and promptly report to headquarters and the State Bank of Vietnam when related incidents arise.

Currently, there are 269 ATMs installed in the province by commercial bank branches and credit institutions. The State Bank requires that employees be assigned to regularly check ATMs at different times to promptly detect strange devices used to steal customer information attached to ATMs.

“In places where ATM card crime cases are detected, it is necessary to immediately report to the unit leaders as well as the police and related banks for coordination in handling, and at the same time notify the Vietnam Bank Card Association to warn and strengthen measures to prevent and combat card crimes,” the State Bank of Vietnam Nghe An branch requested.

Hundreds of fake ATM cards were seized by the police after arresting three Chinese nationals.

Bank branches must publicly post customer support hotline numbers and regularly maintain customer support departments to receive feedback information to promptly support customers, resolve problems, and ensure ATMs operate smoothly.

The State Bank of Vietnam, Nghe An branch, affirmed that it will strengthen monitoring via hotline, conduct surprise inspections and strictly handle violators.

Many Nghe An residents are confused because their ATM card accounts were withdrawn while they were sleeping.

(Baonghean.vn) - At midnight, many people received messages from the bank informing them that the money in their ATM cards had been withdrawn, while the cards were still in their wallets. From there, a group of Chinese people who specialized in stealing account information and appropriating money in ATM cards were arrested by the police.

Previously, on September 11, Vinh City Police coordinated with professional units and Vietinbank to raid a hotel in Vinh City, arresting three suspects: Duong Truong Tai, Dang Thong Thong and Luyen Vu (all residing in Jiangxi Province, China), and confiscated 333 Chinese-made bank cards; 3 electronic devices, 2 laptops, screwdrivers, scissors, tape, glue, etc.

The investigation team determined that of the 333 bank cards seized from the subjects, 319 had been scanned for account holder information and 14 were blank. The subjects withdrew nearly VND300 million from the accounts of 22 cards. In addition, in the 2 laptops, there were 7 memory cards containing 1,000 bank accounts that had been scanned for data.

The method of the subjects is to attach an electronic device with a super small camera on the keyboard and card reader slot on the ATM to collect customers' ATM card information. This information is then sent to China to be decoded and entered into fake ATM cards for these subjects to withdraw money.