Two people convicted of installing card readers in ATMs in multiple states

The thin metal devices were inserted into ATM card readers and used to clone victims’ credit card information.

After reading the data on the cards’ magnetic stripe and chip, the two went to a bank to withdraw money using the stolen card details, Australian Federal Police said.

A joint police investigation was launched after people in Australia received packages from the UK, US and China believed to contain the ATM’s ‘glimmers’.

During the investigation, the two Romanian nationals were seen installing the devices in ATMs in Melbourne and Sydney.

They then withdrew money or transferred money from bank accounts using the stolen card details.

During a search of an address in Rhodes, Sydney, police seized $12,935 in cash, various shims, false identity documents, several electronic devices, card readers and SIM cards.

The 34-year-old man pleaded guilty to possessing an object capable of obtaining financial information, dealing in the proceeds of crime, dishonestly dealing in financial information and dishonestly attempting to obtain personal financial information.

He also pleaded guilty to providing false travel documents and providing false information.

He was sentenced to four years and two months in prison, with a non-parole period of two years and six months.

The 33-year-old woman pleaded guilty to possessing an object capable of obtaining financial information, dealing in the proceeds of crime, dishonestly dealing in financial information and dishonestly attempting to obtain personal financial information.

She was sentenced to two years and six months in prison. She will be eligible for parole in February 2025.

Both men are expected to be deported after their release from prison.