Police have renewed their calls for the public’s help identifying two men caught on camera in November allegedly installing a card skimming device and camera on a Coney Island cash machine to steal customers’ card numbers and access codes after the men allegedly installed the same devices on a second cash machine on Dec. 8.
The men were again caught on camera at the Apple Bank location on Avenue M between East 16th and 17th streets just before 7 pm, where they allegedly installed the two-part identity-theft devices, which consist of readers cleverly placed over the card slots of cash machines — which steal information from the magnetic strips of debit and credit cards — coupled with small cameras positioned nearby so thieves can capture the code numbers punched in to access the cardholders’ cash.
The men then allegedly returned to the scene two days later — just after 8:20 pm on Dec. 10 — to retrieve the devices, along with the data stolen from everyone who used the machine.
The pair allegedly first installed the skimmers and cameras at the Apple Bank on Brighton Beach Avenue between Brighton Fourth and Fifth streets on Nov. 15, and returned to retrieve the camera — but not the skimmer — four days later, police said. There have been no unauthorized banking transactions reported yet as a result of either incident, police said.
Police describe both men as 25–30-years-old. One has a mustache, and was last seen wearing a green jacket, blue jeans, and a gray hat. The other was wearing a black jacket, blue jeans, and white sneakers.
Police are asking anyone with information regarding the incident to call Crime Stoppers at (800) 577–8477, or for Spanish, (888) 577-4782. The public can also submit tips by logging onto the Crime Stoppers website at www.nypdcrimestoppers.com or by texting tips to 274637 (CRIMES) then entering TIP577. All calls are strictly confidential.
