Looks like ATM skimming has made its way to Kuwait:
More than 400 people have reportedly had their accounts hacked in an automatic teller machine scam in Kuwait City.
…
They said security footage showed a small scanning device had been attached to the ATM, which enabled the hackers to scan the card information and personal identification number (PIN) of the victims.
The information was then sent to the Dominican Republic, where is believed a fellow scammer used the details to create fake cards and withdraw money from ATMs in the Caribbean country. [Source]
What is ATM skimming and how to protect yourself? Check out the video below.
[YouTube]
12 replies on “ATM scam hits hundreds of customers in Kuwait”
This has happened in Kuwait before at least three times. According to the information I read, this time around wasn’t so bad because most of the 400 accounts that were compromised were for blue collar workers (due to the location of the compromised ATM). Two years they did this to an ATM in Galleria 2000, and managed to compromise accounts with much more money (and higher withdrawal limits). However, I’m surprised that skimming still works in Kuwait, since they upgraded all the cards to use a smart chip now.
Well even though the cards have a chip, it can still be used without it. For example when you pay for items online with your knet card, all you need is your atm card number and pin code.
+1 Scary thing that even after the Smart chip how these bastard manage to get the data ..
Any idea on the exact location of the compromised ATM / bank? All I read was that it was in Salmiya.
It’s Kuwait, you know how the press works here. Back when a warehouse was caught relabeling expired products no one mentioned what products were compromised nor warned us not to consume them and that’s a health thing so don’t expect to find out what ATM machine was compromised here.
Can’t tell you which bank, but the ATM is right near Sheraton roundabout.
I was one of the victims os such a hack but I have no idea how my card was copied,
My copied card was used in Sharjah and I have never been to the Sharjah. Its been almost a month now and the Bank has not returned my money yet and they say the investigation is still going on.
I wonder how they managed to install these devices at first place ?! because each ATM machine got a surveillance camera attached to it or monitoring it.!!!
The security cameras on the ATM machines take snapshots of someone using the machine but it doesn’t record video non stop all day long.
All the ATM Sites are mostly monitored by the CCTV Cameras it smell something fishy there
The skimmer attaches very easily and smoothly. You can do it very inconspicuously in front of a camera or even people lined up behind you. Obviously once they realized the theft they went back and analyzed the tapes. They found the footage of the incident too, but that won’t help at all. The guys who did this are back in Bulgaria already.
I m also a victim of this I came back from vacation on 28th aug
And realised 2000+ KD have been removed from an ATM in
Sharjah I did not go to UAE I was only in transit at Dubai airport but
Statement shows knet withdrawals I hope
The local bank investigates and helps
Guys pray for me