Australian Peter Junas has
been arrested again, this time for allegedly using fake electronic cards
to steal 10 million baht from Pattaya ATMs.
Boonlua Chatree
An Australian man has been arrested for allegedly using fake electronic
cards to steal 10 million baht from Pattaya ATMs.
Peter Junas, 42, was captured following a police stakeout of city
automated-teller machines prompted by a complaint from the Siam
Commercial Bank fraud department. Officers found 10,000 baht and a dozen
fake ATM cards on him.
Junas’ picture was clearly captured on security cameras withdrawing
funds, as well as his black Toyota. Police simply waited until he
approached another ATM and then pounced.
Police found another 128 fake cards hidden in the Toyota, then searched
his room at the Icon Palace Apartments on Soi Nernplabwan where another
51 were found.
Police said Junas confessed, claiming he worked for a Spaniard who gave
him the cards and 25 percent of the take.
This is the second time Junas has been arrested in Pattaya. On May 27
this year, Junas was arrested on Soi Buakaow and charged with burglary
after police found a hotel safe with a gold ring, bank book, passports
and about 4,000 baht in Swiss francs on him after he refused to stop at
a checkpoint near Soi Choun Rak Inn and Third Road. In his carry bag,
police also found gloves, a hammer, screwdriver and other tools. It is
unknown why he isn’t in jail for this first offense, or why he wasn’t
blacklisted and deported.
