Wednesday, September 29th, 2010
ATM FRAUD- ARREST C10-215914
Between September 17th, 2010 and September 24th, 2010, an Automated Teller Machine (ATM) in the St. Boniface area of the City of Winnipeg was tampered with.
An observant citizen using the Automated Teller Machine noticed that the machine had been tampered with and as a result the Winnipeg Police Service Commercial Crime Unit were notified and commenced into an investigation immediately.
As a result of this investigation the identity of a male suspect came to light and as a result a warrant to arrest was obtained.
On September 24th, 2010, at approximately 1:15 p.m. a suspect male was arrested at the James Richardson International Airport by members of the Winnipeg Police Service Airport Unit.
A search warrant was subsequently executed which resulted in the seizure of numerous items used to forge credit cards as well as four forged debit cards containing stolen debit card information.
Kokulan KANAGARATNAM, 26 years of Scarborough, Ontario has been charged with the following offences:
- Instrument for use in forging credit cards X2
- Possess forged credit cards X4
- Possess credit card data X4
KANAGARATNAM has been detained in custody at the Winnipeg Remand Centre.
The Winnipeg Police Service is requesting the public’s assistance if anyone has observed either of two following suspect males between September 17th to September 24th, 2010. These male were operating a 2010 Red Jeep Grand Cherokee and a 2010 White Dodge Caravan.
The descriptions of the males are as follows:
Kokulan KANAGARATNAM described as a Sri Lankin male, 26 years of age, 5’7” tall with a thin build, medium-length black hair and a thin mustache.
The second male is of Sri Lankin descent, 31 years of age, 5’8” tall with a medium build with short black and grey hair.
This investigation is ongoing by members of the Commercial Crime Unit and further charges may be pending. Anyone with information is asked to contact investigators at 986-6231 or CrimeStoppers at 786-TIPS (8477).
Here are some tips to keep you safe against this type of ATM fraud:
- Use you hand to cover the number pad of the ATM when you type in your PIN
- Look at the ATM to see if any part of the machine appears to be out of place (i.e. some pieces are too thick or too large, color differences)
- Most overlay devices are affixed with two way tape and the overlay device may look out of the ordinary
- If you suspect the ATM has been tampered with, contact the police and the financial Institute as soon as possible
- Be aware of your surroundings and if you observe individuals in the area of a bank or an ATM machine that are acting suspiciously, do not confront them just contact the police immediately
- Be sure to check your bank account activity at least once a week to see if there has been any suspicious purchases or unauthorized spending on your account.
- If you have been a victim of debit card fraud, contact your financial institute immediately
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Update: SATURDAY, OCTOBER 9TH, 2010
ReplyDeleteATM FRAUD INVESTIGATION- UPDATE C10-215914
As previously released on September 29th, 2010 the Winnipeg Police Service had requested the public’s assistance in gathering further evidence regarding a fraud investigation that involved the Commercial Crime Unit.
Between September 17th, 2010 and September 24th, 2010, an Automated Teller Machine (ATM) in the St. Boniface area of the City of Winnipeg was tampered with.
As a result of an observant citizen using the Automated Teller Machine and noticing that the machine had been tampered with, the Winnipeg Police Service Commercial Crime Unit were notified and commenced into an investigation immediately.
Due to the efforts of the Commercial Crime Unit and as a result of the public’s assistance some useful information was obtained. This new information has resulted in the additional charges being laid against the suspect male had had originally been arrested in connection with this investigation.
On October 7th, 2010 charges have been laid against Kokulan KANAGARATNAM, 26 years of Scarborough, Ontario, in connection with 25 separate ATM overlay offences that had occurred in Winnipeg, Saskatoon, Calgary and Edmonton between June 30th, 2010 and August 21st, 2010.
As a result of the application of these ATM overlays approximately 300 debit cards were affected, and approximately 70 cards were successfully used with the estimated total losses being in excess of $94,000.00.
As a result of this continued investigation KANAGARATNAM has been charged with a total of 39 offences:
Possession of an instrument used to forge credit cards X 11
Possession of credit card data X 4
Possession of forged credit card X 4
Possession of identity information X 19
Fraud over $5000 X 1
KANAGARATNAM has been remanded back into custody.
This investigation is continuing by members of the Commercial Crime Unit and investigators are still attempting to determine the identity of a second male suspect that is wanted in relation to these incidents.
The Winnipeg Police Service would like to thank the public for their assistance in providing information that directly contributed to this investigation.
For further information contact either:
Constable Natalie Aitken, Public Information Officer
Constable Jason Michalyshen, Public Information Officer
Office: (204)986-3061
Fax: (204) 986-3267
Email: WPS-PIO@Winnipeg.ca
Web: www.winnipeg.ca/Police