3 Romanians nabbed over alleged ATM skimming in Cebu

The National Bureau of Investigation in Central Visayas on Saturday evening nabbed three Romanian nationals allegedly involved in automated teller machine (ATM) skimming. 

A report by GMA Cebu's Chona Carreon on Balita Pilipinas on Tuesday identified the suspects as Costel Ion, Ionut Alexandru Mitrache, and Razvan Aurelian Stancu. 

The report said a mall security guard reported to the management on Friday an unattended white sedan (ZKM 158) left at a Cebu mall a day earlier.

Cebu City Philippine National Police Regional Intelligence Division chief Supt. Jonathan Cabal quoted the guard as saying the car was left open a day after and saw P3 million worth of money inside. 

"May naiwang pera pa na mga worth P3 million doon sa sasakyan. Then in good faith, 'yong mga guards sinuli. Kasi naiwan nilang nakabukas 'yong car," Cabal said. 

The Romanian nationals came forward after the mall called for the vehicle's owners via its public address system, the report said.

The Cebu City PNP is still verifying if one of the suspects was the same person who had also been "skimming" Landbank ATMs, also in Cebu.

"We're very happy nga nahuli sila. We hope this skimming will be stopped... Mas marami ang nabiktima regardless of status eh," said Investigation And Detective Management Division chief Supt. Ryan Devaras.

The Romanian nationals refused to issue a statement. 

GMA News tried to reach the legal counsel of the suspects but he was not at his office.

The white sedan used by the suspects remained under the custody of the Cebu City PNP.

Eight policemen had earlier pressed charges after also being victimized by ATM skimming, the report said. — Joseph Tristan Roxas/MDM, GMA News