Lankans arrested in India over fake credit card scam

A three-member gang, including two Sri Lankans, allegedly involved in drawing money from bank accounts using fake credit cards was held at Mangalagiri in Guntur District of Andhra Pradesh.

The accused were identified as Anthony Pillai Nimal Raj, Cladison Dino, both natives of Sri Lanka and settled in Chennai, and Yerramsetti Venkata Nagakiran of Gudivada (now staying in Vijayawada). They had allegedly withdrawn IRS 1,60,000 from the Axis Bank account of Vineel Chandra of Hyderabad in the last two months.

The incident came to light when Vineel Chandra complained to the bank management that his account showed less balance without withdrawing any money.

Officials then found that money was paid for buying fuel at the BPCL outlet on NH-5 near the temple town by swiping fake credit cards made through "skimming technology."

The accused allegedly sourced the software needed to skim the credit cards from Sudhan of Malaysia, who is the mastermind, known to the accused through their friends. Producing them before mediapersons, Superintendent of Police A Ravichandra said this was a first of this kind of white collar offence committed in the district. Efforts were on to trace Sudhan, he said.

A skimming machine, fake credit cards, and a laptop were seized from the accused, The Hindu reports.