Incident: Gas Pump Skimmer/Cash out - SF Bay Area
Location: Alameda County, Contra Costa County, Santa Clara County
Date/Time of Incident: May 2018 - ongoing
Detectives are seeking the public's assistance to identify a suspect involved in gas pump skimming and ATM cash-out crimes.
The Fremont Police Department is seeking assistance to identify a male suspect believed to be involved in a credit card skimming operation in multiple Bay Area cities.
In May and June of this year, multiple victims reported their debit and credit cards were compromised and being used at multiple ATM locations in Fremont and other cities to make unauthorized withdrawals. An analysis of the victims’ prior card usage revealed a common location where the victims’ cards were all used prior to the fraudulent withdrawals. The location identified is a gas station in the town of Brentwood. Victims all reported using the gas station shortly before the fraudulent withdrawals began. It’s believed a skimming device was installed at the gas station and has since been removed by the suspects.
Gas pump skimming devices are difficult to detect as they are most often installed inside the pump and there is no visible indicator that one is present. These types of skimming devices are able to record debit and credit card information unbeknownst to customers who use the pumps. The thieves then make a duplicate of the victims’ credit or debit cards, which are then used to withdraw money from ATMs or make online purchases. Tracking card fraud like this is difficult. Estimates are that credit/debit card fraud losses are over $24 billion worldwide and almost half are believed to be in the United States.
Police have recovered video of the depicted suspect and suspect vehicle at multiple ATM locations in Fremont. The suspect is seen using cards that were linked to the gas station compromise that was recovered by police. See attached photos.
The suspect is described as being white male adult, mid-late twenties, heavy set build and has three prominent moles on his right cheek. The suspect is seen entering and driving a late 90’s model Mercedes C280 4 door sedan with possible oxidized paint patch on the hood and paper plates. The suspect is possibly related to a known transnational criminal organization and may be from the greater LA County area.
Anyone with information about this incident is asked to please call the Fremont Police Department’s Investigative Unit at
510-790-6900 or send an anonymous tip by texting TIP FREMONTPD followed by your message to 888-777, or via the web at
https://local.nixle.com/tip/alert/6216337.
CONTACT:
Detective Adam Foster
Phone: 510-790-6953
Email:
[email protected]
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