BANK card details allegedly taken in a skimming device ATM machine 'harvest' in Northern Ireland are linked to fraud of £218,000 in New York, a police officer told a court in Antrim yesterday.
The officer was speaking during a failed bail application by Mihai Dutcas (35), originally from Romania but with an address at Millburn Mews, Ballyclare.
He is charged with conspiring on a number dates from May 1 this year, with another, with intent to cheat and defraud to the prejudice of banking customers of various banks by interfering with ATM machines.
He is also charged with possessing articles to enable him to obtain the banking details of numerous customers for use in the course of or in connection with a fraud.
Dutcas appeared at Antrim Magistrates Court via video link from Maghaberry Prison.
A police officer alleged that after the "harvest" of bank card details by skimming fraud of £218,000 was committed in the New York area.
A defence barrister said after an alleged skimming incident in the Belfast region the figures were "in the hundreds" as opposed to those given by the police officer.
District Judge Oonagh Mullan refused bail.
The defendant was remanded in continuing custody and the case was adjourned until September.
A co-accused, Adela Mois (31), a Romanian whose address was originally given as Margaret Avenue, Ballyclare, but who is now living at Millburn Mews in the town, also appeared at Antrim Court and was released on continuing bail.
The charge she faces is that on 'numerous dates from May 1, 2017, whe conspired, with another, with intent to cheat and defraud, and to the prejudice of banking customers, of various banks by interfering with ATM machines'.
Mois also had her case adjourned until September.
