It was teenage arrogance and lack of control, likely due to his adolescent nature, that betrayed the 16-year-old who allegedly withdrew money from ATMs using cloned cards in Katerini. The young fraudster allegedly made the cards himself – even using the V mask from the movie “V for Vendetta” – and hid them inside board games and in his home refrigerator. However, a social media post showing 50-euro bills and a fatal error possibly influenced by trap music played a crucial role in leading police to his trail. The post read: “We cleaned out all the ATMs with the bro for the summer.” Police then conducted an internet investigation and allegedly discovered that the young man was even uploading videos of his withdrawals. The minor was subsequently arrested by officers from the Northern Greece Cybercrime Division and is charged with counterfeiting currency and intangible payment methods, as well as weapons law violations.
Read: Katerini: Minor arrested with cloned cards and 32,200 euros in counterfeit banknotes
Katerini: What was found at the 16-year-old fraudster’s home
A search of his home followed, where evidence confirming his involvement in the case was found and the 16-year-old was arrested.
In total, the following were confiscated:
* 32,200 euros in counterfeit banknotes
* two blank cloned bank cards with chip and magnetic strip
* smart card reader
* packaging materials and logo stickers
* shipping receipts related to the supply and distribution of counterfeit banknotes and cards
Additionally, officers found other items being examined as part of the investigation, including two full-face masks, a club, a replica pistol, two hard drives and a portable USB storage device, as well as two mobile phones.
Watches and bags that appeared in the incriminating videos he had posted on social media were also found in the house. The 16-year-old was brought before the competent prosecutor’s office. According to information from MEGA, felony charges were filed against the 16-year-old for counterfeiting currency and payment methods, as well as weapons law violations. Furthermore, an organized network is not ruled out, although it is not considered very likely due to the social media posts.
