- The thieves told their victim that the ATM would not return her card without help
- When she went in the bank, £800 was withdrawn with the PIN already entered
- Similar incidents have been reported in Greater Manchester and South Wales
Police in Cheshire have renewed a hunt for thieves after an elderly woman had £800 stolen via an ATM that she thought had swallowed her card.
In an incident similar to others reported across the country, the thieves told their victim the cash machine – which she had just put her card and PIN number into – was broken, before drawing money out as she sought help.
Greater Manchester, South Wales and West Mercia have all seen incidents like this since that initial theft in Warrington on February 24.
A link between the different events is yet to be confirmed, with officers ‘keeping an open mind and are exploring multiple lines of enquiry’ amid concerns that the thefts are the work of an organised crime gang.
Cheshire police issued photographs of two unnamed men they believed could be linked to said group, as they warned people against being scammed at ATMs.
Police in Cheshire have renewed a hunt for thieves after an elderly woman had £800 stolen from her account via an ATM that she thought had swallowed her card
The incident in Warrington happened at roughly 1.30pm outside a Halifax bank on Buttermarket Street, Warrington.
The pensioner was attempting to draw money from the external cashpoint when one of two men loitering nearby approached her to say that the machine was broken, and that she should go inside to get her card retrieved.
While the vulnerable lady was queueing in the branch, the same man withdrew cash in two installments from the ATM – which was, in fact, working perfectly.
He, along with the second man, then left the area on foot in the direction of Golden Square.
Police Constable Graham Davies, of Warrington Town Centre Beat Team, said: ‘We are determined to establish the identities of those involved in this very distressing crime and make them face the consequences of their actions.
‘Current evidence suggests that the two men pictured could be from anywhere in the country and may be linked to a wider organised crime group who visit locations outside of their own areas and deliberately target vulnerable and elderly people.
‘If you think you recognise these men, please call Cheshire Constabulary on 101, quoting IML-1764011, give us the details via our website or contact Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.’
