‘Booby trapped’ ATM in Larnaca

A WOMAN attempting to withdraw money at a cash machine in the Famagusta district had her credit card swallowed up by the machine yesterday, which police believe may have been booby-trapped.

Police said the woman put her card into the machine to make a withdrawal at about 9pm but could not retrieve her card.

The woman visited the relevant bank the next day but was informed that the cash machine she used had been out of service and that her card had not been kept by the bank.

Police reports said the machine was examined by officers from Famagusta CID who found a card-seizing device installed inside. The woman’s card was later used at three petrol stations in the Larnaca area with expenses the value of £78.

Police said a bank employee reported another similar incident in the area, after unknown persons managed to take possession of a credit card at a booby-trapped machine and made withdrawals of £800 at various other cash machines.

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