ATM card skimmers seized in Brisbane and Sydney

Officers in Brisbane and Sydney arrested five foreign nationals allegedly attempting to steal money and create fake bank cards using the devices.

They were found after the US Secret Service alerted AFP an alleged international crime syndicate was targeting Australian ATMs.

"Unfortunately Australia remains a lucrative target for cybercriminals and in this digital age we know that personal data has become incredibly valuable to criminals," Detective Superintendent Tim Stainton said.

A card skimming device and pin hole camera were found in an ATM on Queen Street in Brisbane CBD when an unnamed financial institution notified police on August 2

Cybercrime detectives were waiting nearby on August 3 and saw a 37-year-old man and 21-year-old man approach the ATM.

Both men were arrested after a short chase.

Officers searched the suspect's Upper Mount Gravatt home and car on August 4 where police arrested a third man aged 34 years.

They found two pin-hole cameras and several fake identity documents including bank cards and images of a licence and passport.

Police also seized two card skimming devices that were allegedly posted to the cybercriminals in the mail.

On the same day in Sydney's inner west, NSW police searched a short-term rental in Rhodes and found $12,935 in cash, multiple skimming devices and fake identity documents including passports, bank cards in other people's names.

Police also found other electronic devices, card readers, sim cards and hand held electrical tools.

A 33-year-old Romanian man and 32-year-old Romanian woman were arrested.

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"Stealing someone's personal information and hard earned money is calculated and cruel, and anyone convicted of identity theft or possessing skimming devices faces a maximum penalty of five years imprisonment," Detective Superintendent Craig McGrath said.

"I urge anyone who notices fraudulent transactions on their accounts to immediately notify their financial institution, then report the matter to police and seek any personal support you may need," he said.

This comes after the United States Secret Service (USSS) arrested five Romanian nationals who were allegedly targeting US citizens receiving welfare benefits via Electronic Benefits Transfer cards in May 2023.

US authorities found a receipt for a consignment sent to Australia during a search of one of the alleged offenders.

This kicked-off the investigation into an alleged organised crime syndicate skimming ATMs in Australia.

The 37-year-old and 21-year-old men from Brisbane have each been charged with two counts of possessing equipment to commit an offence and one count each of obtaining identification information and obstructing police.

Both men were remanded in custody and their matters are next expected to be heard before Brisbane Magistrates Court on September 6.

The 34-year-old man has been charged with two counts of possessing equipment to commit an offence and obtaining identification information.

He was remanded in custody and his matter is next expected to be heard before Brisbane Magistrates Court on August 23.

In Sydney, the 33-year-old Romanian man and 32-year-old Romanian woman were charged with producing a document, knowing the document was false or misleading, making or providing false foreign travel documents and control of thing with intent to dishonestly obtain or deal in personal financial information.

If you believe you have fallen victim to cybercrime, you should immediately report to police using ReportCyber at cyber.gov.au.

If you are concerned that your identity has been compromised, contact the national identity and cyber support service IDCARE at www.idcare.org.