Summary Chinese nationals were held earlier this month over skimming
(Web Desk) – Federal Investigation Agency has warned the banks that use of ‘obsolete’ technology is making ATMs vulnerable to skimming and fishing, TechJuice reported on Friday.
Majority of Pakistani banks use a technology for ATMs that badly needs to be upgraded for protection of the customers.
Skimming refers to extraction of personal information and data regarding the customer by illegally installing devices with the machines.
One such case was reported earlier this month when two Chinese nationals were held for skimming. Reportedly, the information was being dispatched in a foreign country where the data was used to conduct money transactions through wire.
FIA’s cell pursued the case and has called for up-to-date technology installed in all banks of Pakistan.
The agency has formally instructed the State Bank of Pakistan to direct all the banks operational here in the country to modify their security softwares and technology.
A statement given in this regard stated: “We have been coordinating with the State Bank on this matter. We have made three arrests [all Chinese nationals] in two operations within a year and we have evidence of presence of more men of the same origin who are still actively operating in Karachi. The first case in the city was reported in June last year after the arrest of a Chinese national but the recent arrests show that the scam goes on unchecked by the banks… It means that Pakistani banks are an easy target for this foreign group as our ATMs don’t have advance security features.”
The department has called for stricter surveillance of ATM booths and training of staffers to smell suspicious activities.
