Two more French nationals have been arrested for allegedly cloning automated teller machine cards and robbing the accounts of unsuspecting tourists.
Amirou Benlochi, 32, and Abdelhakin Dekhil, 28, were charged with counterfeiting ATM cards and robbery.
Col. Thirapol Jindalhuang said the latest arrests were part of the ongoing investigation into a ring of French fraudsters who offer to “assist” ATM users then steal their cards and personal identification numbers.
The 2 French nationals, seated, are held for questioning at Pattaya Police Station.
Alexandre Giro Zinno, 29, and Ali Ennouri, 28, were taken into custody Feb. 15 with police confiscating a duplicating machine and 100,000 baht in cash. The latest two arrests apparently came from tips given by Zinno and Ennouri.
Police grabbed Benlochi and Dekhil at the Eurasia Hotel on Soi Yensabai. They are alleged to have altered ATM machines with “skimmers” so that when users insert their cards, the numbers are copied and the PIN codes captured.
Both men denied the charges.
