Alleged Sunny Isles Skimming Scam Under Investigation
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SUNNY ISLES (CBSMiami) -- Authorities are trying to find out if skimming devices put on the same Sunny Isles ATM are related.
Police say surveillance video from a month earlier captured a man in the act at a Bank United ATM located at 17100 Collins Avenue.
"The male that is seen in the video is brazen enough to bring a skimming device, place it on the ATM in the early evening hours of April the 15th," said Sgt. Brian Schnell with Sunny Isles Police.
Schnell told CBS4's Peter D'Oench, "If you look at this video, it seems to suggest that this man has done this before. He just looks like someone using an ATM card. We would like to get this man off the streets and bring him to justice."
Schnell said the thief installed a camera so he could capture people typing in their pin numbers and the skimming devices are able to record the numbers on ATM and debit cards.
"That way these criminals are able to match up the pin numbers with the numbers on the debit or credit cards," he said.
They said he placed the device on around 6 p.m. Hours later, he allegedly came back and took the device.
"This gentleman is at large. We're looking for him," said Schnell who is asking anyone with information in the case to step forward.
"He is actively skimming ATMs in South Florida," said Schnell.
Investigators want to know if that case is somehow connected to another instance earlier this month that landed three men behind bars.
On May 5th, police said a person again put a skimming device on the same Bank United ATM.
"The security team at Bank United was alert enough to find the device. They contacted us," said Schnell.
That's when police said they staked out the bank. Later that same night, police say, Dorvill Romero Jr., Luis Mota, and Renildo Dos-Reis arrived at the ATM to remove it.
That's when officers arrested the three on charges of unlawful use of a skimming device.
While they do not know if the cases are related, they do know anyone can be a victim. They're asking anyone with information call Miami-Dade Crime Stoppers at (305) 471- TIPS.
Investigators say they don't know if the two cases are related but they do know anybody could be exposed and they want to find the other man that remains at large.
"Everybody can be a victim to this from you to me to law enforcement to everybody," said Schnell.
Bank customers told D'Oench that while they are concerned, they are being careful.
Karen Bermudez said, "Well I think this is wrong. I always go inside a bank and get my money. I never use ATMS."
Nicole Colbert said, "Yes, this concerns me. You have to be on the lookout and be careful. Just go somewhere you are familiar with."
Natalia Podolyak said, "I feel concerned but I have protection. I pay every month for protection."
Schnell said he had some tips. He said if you think the plastic cover at the ATM is not secure or loose, do not use the machine and you should alert your bank. Also, you should try to cover your hand while typing in your ATM number so no camera can record those numbers.
