Thieves go high-tech
2004-01-08 14:15
Hong Kong - Pinhole spy cameras capable of filming people tapping in their PIN numbers have been found hidden in two bank cashpoint machines in Hong Kong, a news report said on Thursday.
The cameras - discovered in two machines outside a Hang Seng Bank branch - could transmit images to a remote receiver, according to the South China Morning Post.
Hundreds of customers who used the cashpoint machines have now been contacted for their cards to be cancelled although no thefts from accounts had been reported, the newspaper said.
Similar hidden cameras have been found fitted into cashpoint machines in mainland China and Malaysia but the discovery at the Hang Seng Bank is the first of its kind in Hong Kong.
A Hang Seng Bank spokesperson refused to tell the newspaper where and how the spy cameras had been fitted into the cashpoint machine cubicles.
It is believed thieves may have intended to use the information to empty bank accounts after stealing cashpoint cards from customers following their visits.
Alternatively, duplicate cards could be produced so that thieves could then use the PIN numbers to access the accounts of customers they have photographed.
Less than 50 reports of thefts involving cashpoint machine transactions were reported in Hong Kong last year, police said.
However, only three months ago, Hong Kong Monetary Authority officials advised banks to step up cashpoint machine security amid fears of sophisticated new theft attempts. - Sapa-DPA
- SAPA