RIYADH, 10 March 2008 — Police arrested a Yemeni expatriate accused of extorting more than SR700,000 by manipulating ATM users, especially elderly ones who often ask others for help to pay their bills.
The man was arrested after authorities said they examined the footage taken from cameras near ATM machines. The man apparently would assist his victims and then switch cards with them. Later he would use the stolen cards for purchases before the owners figured out the ruse.
Police began monitoring ATM machines in an area of the capital after a number of people reported having their ATM cards stolen in a similar fashion. Eventually police said they observed a man trying to conduct the bait-and-switch and swooped in to arrest him.
Police said the man was in possession of a fake ID card and confessed to his criminal activities.
