TWO Brazilian nationals have been charged after allegedly card skimming from ATMs in the Perth metropolitan area in December 2019.
The men were charged as part of an investigation into a Brazilian Established Criminal Network.
Financial Crimes Squad detectives commenced an operation after a card skimming device was found on an ATM in Northbridge.
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It will be alleged two more card skimming devices were found attached to an ATM in Doubleview on December 18 and attached to an ATM in Fremantle on December 20.
Information from the bank involved directly assisted with identifying several persons of interest.
A search warrant was executed at a home in Bennett Street, East Perth on January 2.
Two men were arrested and police said several items of interest were seized, including blank plastic cards, cameras and other equipment consistent with ATM card skimming activity.
Detectives, with assistance from Australian Transaction Reports and Analysis Centre, identified several suspicious bank transactions involving the sending of funds to Brazil in late 2019.
A 39-year-old Brazilian man, who resides in East Perth on a temporary visa, is facing several charges including stealing, possessing identification material with intent to commit an offence and made, used or supplied identification material with intent to commit and offence.
He was refused bail and appeared in the Perth Magistrates’ Court on January 3, due to appear in the same court today.
Another 39-year-old Brazilian man, who also currently resides in East Perth on a temporary visa, has been charged with property laundering.
He first appeared in the Perth Magistrates’ Court on January 10 and is next due to appear in the same court on February 7.
The investigation into the origin of those funds is ongoing.
Financial Crimes Squad Detective Senior Sergeant Ken Foster said the arrests in Western Australia were a significant blow to the criminal network.
“The arrests in Western Australia have disrupted the business model being used here by the Brazilian criminal network, and provided valuable intelligence in respect to other, more senior members based in Brazil,” he said.
“Brazil may be 15,000km away, but we have relationships that help bridge that distance, and we intend on pursuing those people who commit serious crimes in Western Australia, and those who facilitate those crimes, regardless of where they are hiding.”