***Editors’ note: Moving vision of the arrests will be available to television networks via YouSendIt later today. Still images will be available via email by contacting the NSW Police Media Unit on (02) 8263 6100***

 Fraud Squad detectives have arrested and charged five people following extensive investigations into alleged EFTPOS skimming.

 Strike Force Wigg was established in June 2009 to investigate EFTPOS skimming in NSW. That investigation led into a joint national taskforce between the NSW Police Force and other state and commonwealth law enforcement agencies, which concluded in 2010. Investigations by the NSW Police Fraud Squad are continuing.

 It is alleged the syndicate was highly advanced technologically, and operated under a sophisticated international network.

 Following months of covert investigation, police yesterday executed three search warrants across metropolitan Sydney and the arrested five men.

 The arrests include a 34-year-old man at Westmead, a 33-year-old man at Westmead, a 45-year-old man at Westmead, a 34-year-old man at Strathfield and a 25 year-old man at Auburn. The men are Malaysian and Sri Lankan Nationals.

 Police allege the men arrested were key members of the syndicate, and were involved in the coordination of the group’s activities in Australia as well as Europe and North America.

 The 34-year-old man was taken to Parramatta Police Station and charged with Conspiracy to Cheat and Defraud, Dealing with Identification Information, Possess equipment to make identification documents or things, Participate in a Criminal Group. He was refused bail to appear at Parramatta Local Court today.

 The 33-year-old man was taken to Parramatta Police Station and charged with Conspiracy to Cheat and Defraud.

The 45-year-old man was taken to Parramatta Police Station and charged with Conspiracy to Cheat and Defraud, Robbery/Steal from Person, Dealing with Identification Information, Possess equipment to make identification documents or things, Possess Identification Information, Possess False or Misleading Documents, Participate in a Criminal Group.

The 34-year-old man was taken to Parramatta Police Station and charged with Conspiracy to Cheat and Defraud, Possess equipment to make identification documents or things, Dealing with Identification Information and Participate in a Criminal Group.

 The 25 year-old male was taken to Parramatta Police Station and charged with Conspiracy to Cheat and Defraud, Possess equipment to make identification documents or things and Participate in a Criminal Group.

 All five men have been refused bail and will appear at Parramatta Local Court today.

Police also executed three search warrants at locations including Pendle Hill, Strathfield and Auburn. During the warrants police located and seized items including EFTPOS terminals, PIN underlay, electronic equipment including laptop computers, numerous mobile phones, $10, 000 cash, false travel and related documents and a number of Canadian credit cards.

 To date, a total of 25 people have so far been charged by Strike Force Wigg detectives. During the course of the investigations police have also to date seized skimming related equipment including over 50 stolen EFTPOS terminals, dozens of skimmers and in excess of 18,000 blank and counterfeit cards.

 Fraud Squad Commander Detective Superintendent Col Dyson, said, “The NSW Police Force is committed to targeting fraud related crime and today’s operation has resulted in the significantly disruption of an alleged international syndicate.

 “The public are reminded however of the need to be vigilant when using their credit and debit cards, and when making EFTPOS transactions,”

 “Investigations under Strike Force Wigg are continuing and further arrests are anticipated,” Det Supt Col Dyson said.

 Prevention Tips:

• Always protect your PIN and change it regularly – never disclose your PIN to others.
• Always check your receipts to ensure transaction details are correct
• Regularly check your bank accounts for discrepancies and report any suspicious transactions to your financial institution.
• Merchants should maintain the security of their EFTPOS terminals.
• Regularly check the integrity of their terminal to ensure it has not been compromised.
• Regularly check the serial number to ensure their terminal has not been covertly swapped.