Thieves using new 'glue trap' to snatch cash from machines

Glue traps normally sold to catch rats and mice are being used in a new twist in bank cash machine thefts.

The ploy is a variation of the Lebanese loop device which criminals used to trap bank cards in cash machines.

Police say that instead of using a trick to trap people's cards, crime gangs are now using gadgets to trap their cash. Customers who are victims of the con walk away from the cash machine believing it is broken.

The fraudsters then move in and remove the device from the machines with the cash still attached.

One detective said there was increasing evidence of gangs using the devices across London.

He said: "They get between £30 to £50 a time or more and do the trick at different machines three to four times a night, so it can be quite lucrative."

The fraudsters use "sticky boards" covered with powerful glue which are sold to trap rats and mice.

They are inserted into the bank machines and trap cash as it is withdrawn. The detective said: "As soon as banks tighten up security in one area criminals come up with a new way of beating the system."

In the past thieves have used sophisticated methods of targeting customers, including using pinhole cameras, radio transmitters and false fronts for cash dispensers.

In one case a gang got away with £200,000 in just over a month using cash machine skimming devices.

A spokesman for cash machine network Link said there was anecdotal evidence that the number of cash machine frauds has risen in recent months and confirmed the trend of criminals using devices to prevent cash being ejected from the machines.

Last year more than £33million was fraudulently withdrawn from machines in Britain, a fall on the year before.

Police warn people to report anything suspicious about cash machines and watch out for people "surfing" their shoulder.

If they experience problems withdrawing cash they are advised to call their bank or credit card company immediately.