Credit card scam 'slowing down'

Two outstanding suspects withdrew money in Eastbourne

Fraudulent cash machine withdrawals related to a petrol station credit card scam are now "reducing significantly", Sussex Police have said.

An investigation began after more than 560 reports were received of bank accounts belonging to East Sussex residents being compromised.

A "skimming" operation was uncovered where card details were obtained from two garages in Bexhill and Eastbourne.

Two men are on police bail while four others were arrested in Spain.

The investigation found that a false chip-and-pin handset was placed in the petrol stations, in Sidley, Bexhill, and Crossways, Eastbourne.

Data was collected and used to create cloned credit cards, and police said the information was also sold around the world.

Check statements

Money was illegally withdrawn from the bank accounts of local people at cash machines in countries as far afield as Canada, Argentina and Mauritius.

Det Sgt Nick Bollard said: "The number of calls is reducing significantly which is a positive sign.

"There is normally a period of cloning, in this case believed to be the beginning of August through to around 20 September, followed by a period of spending until such time as the offenders feel the risk is too high."

But he still urged people to check their bank statements carefully.

A man in his 40s from Eastbourne and a Sri Lankan in his 30s were arrested and released on police bail until January.

Four other men believed to be linked to the investigation were held in Spain after withdrawing money from cash machines there in September.