6 in card scam ring arrested

CEBU, Philippines - Six people belonging to a “highly organized” syndicate were arrested for using fake credit cards and ATM cards along Escario St., Barangay Kamputhaw, yesterday noon.

Senior Supt. Melvin Ramon Buenafe, director of the Cebu City Police Office described the suspects, who are from Manila and Mindanao, as “modern” criminals

belonging to the so-called “Bautista Group” which operates nationwide.

The suspects were identified as Gelatio Bautista Nataño, James Alcantara, Anthony Villarama, Bernardo Cruz, Rudolfo Gaya, Anthony Jarlo and Maria Roxanne Venezuela Torlao.

The CCPO Director said they have been monitoring the group after receiving complaints from bank employees and establishment owners about a group of people using fake cards.

The six were arrested during an entrapment operation yesterday noon outside a hotel.

The establishment personnel said they can tell fake cards as these do not have names and other information embossed on them.

Buenafe said that these credit cards skimmers or skim artists would first recruit accomplices usually at places such as restaurants, hotels and retail businesses.

They would then give their accomplices, usually a waiter, an illegal electronic device known as a skimmer that can capture all of the personal information from a credit card or debit card of a victim. The card will be swiped secretly and quickly on the skimmer and after a few seconds, the device has captured the card holder’s name, address, telephone number, card number, credit limit and PIN number.

After having all the information they can now download the credit card information onto a computer and make a fake card in the name of the victim.

Buenafe said the legitimate card holder will just then notice unauthorized charges on his or her monthly statement.

Buenafe said the suspect can also take the ATM cardholder’s PIN number by taking a video of his or her hands while he or she is transacting at the ATM machine or by putting up a video transmitter on the ATM machine.

“Pwede rin ‘yung tao naa lang sa loob ng sasakyan at may hawak na cam recorder na naka-focus pala sa keyboard ng ATM machine. Then through slow motion, makukuha ‘yung PIN number mo,” Buenafe said.

Recovered from the suspects were at least 20 assorted credit and debit cards, assorted identification cards, a skimmer device, a pack of suspected shabu and other paraphernalia believed to have been used for their operations.

The police called on other people who might have been victimized by this group to report to them to strengthen their case against them for violation of Republic Act 8484 or the Access Devices Regulation Act against the suspects.

A separate charge for illegal drugs will also be filed against Nataño after the suspected shabu was recovered from him.

They are all now temporarily detained at the CCPO stockade pending the filing of the charges against them.

Police advise cardholders to keep an eye on their credit cards while these are being processed. —/BRP (THE FREEMAN)