The police are asking for the public’s help identifying two men caught on camera installing a card skimming device and a camera on a cash machine to steal customers’ card numbers and codes at the Apple Bank on Brighton Beach Avenue in Coney Island on Nov. 15.
The men allegedly entered the bank between Brighton Fourth and Fifth Streets at around 6:15 am, when they installed the two-part forgery devices, which consist of readers cleverly placed over the card slots of cash machines — which steal information from the magnetic strips of debit and credit cards — coupled with small cameras positioned nearby so thieves can capture the code numbers required to access the cardholders’ cash.
Four days later, the men returned to the scene just before 7:30 am on Nov. 19, when they took the camera and left the skimmer behind. There have been no reported unauthorized banking transactions as a result of the incident, police said.
Police describe both men as 25–30-years-old. One has a mustache, and was last seen wearing a green jacket, blue jeans, and a gray hat. The other was wearing a black jacket, blue jeans, and white sneakers.
Police are asking anyone with information regarding the incident to call Crime Stoppers at (800) 577–8477, or for Spanish, (888) 577-4782. The public can also submit tips by logging onto the Crime Stoppers website at www.nypdcrimestoppers.com or by texting tips to 274637 (CRIMES) then entering TIP577. All calls are strictly confidential.
