MIRI: A foreign national suspected of carrying out automated teller machine (ATM) skimming activities in Brunei Darussalam was arrested at the Miri Airport Terminal on July 20.
The suspect, a man in his 50s, was detained by officers from the Miri District Police Headquarters at about 5.30pm after intelligence sharing between the Royal Malaysia Police (PDRM) and the Royal Brunei Police Force (PPDB) linked him to the installation of skimming devices on ATMs in Brunei.
Such devices are commonly used to illegally capture customers’ card details and personal identification numbers, enabling criminals to gain unauthorised access to bank accounts.
He was handed over to the Royal Brunei Police Force on the same day for further investigation and legal action under Brunei’s laws.
Miri District Police chief ACP Mohd Farhan Lee Abdullah said the arrest highlighted the close cooperation between Malaysian and Bruneian authorities in combating cross-border crime.
“The success of this operation reflects the enduring strategic partnership and close cooperation between the Royal Malaysia Police and the Royal Brunei Police Force in combating transnational criminal activities,” he said.
He also advised the public to inspect ATMs for suspicious attachments on the card slot, keypad or other parts before making transactions and to immediately notify the bank or police if anything unusual is detected.
Police urged anyone with information or who believes they may have been affected to lodge a report at the nearest police station.
