A ‘hole in the wall gang’ of fraudsters planned to

A ‘hole in the wall gang’ of fraudsters planned to steal
thousands of pounds from banks and building societies using bogus
cash point cards, it was alleged.

Personal details of genuine transactions were cleverly
entered onto cards originally to be issued as part of a DIY store
and a garage promotion.

Southwark Crown Court heard the gang never actually managed
to get money from a ‘hole in the wall.

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But it was alleged they hoped to make a fortune by creating
‘phantom withdrawals.

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A jury heard they had bought an encoding machine to enter
details on the magnetic stripes on store-cards.

But a suspicious company chief contacted police when the
machine was sold despite being assured the equipment was needed to
enter details on club membership cards.

Officers kept the fraudsters under observation.

Having seen them use the bogus cards at automatic telling
machines, but fail to get any money, police decided ‘enough was
enough’ and the gang was arrested.

Mr Lawrence Alt, prosecuting, told the court details of
genuine accounts were taken from the till roll of a petrol station
where customers had used their own cards.

He said the details were put onto store cards for
Sainsbury’s Homebase chain and a Total garage promotion.

‘These defendant conspired together to manufacture false
cards to get money out of cash machines from banks and building
societies,’ alleged Mr Alt.

‘But police, who had them under observation, got them
before they got any – although we allege they had a crack at it
beforehand.

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Mr Alt added: ‘It was an agreement to raid cash machines
in various locations.

‘But eventually police decided enough was enough and
arrested them.

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Officers found the encoder and computer equipment at one
of the gang’s homes.

Also uncovered were hundreds of plastic cards.

Computer consultants Mark Pruce, 32, of Woodlands Road,
Chelmsford, Essex, and Andrew Stone, of Highland Road, Fareham,
Hants.

, plead not guilty to conspiring to steal between July 14
and August 15 last year.

Also in the dock are unempoyed John Currell, 26, of Lucas
Court, Sydenham, se London; Steven Wheeler, a 25-year-old plumber,
of Venner Road, Sydenham and Clive Hamilton, 34, unemployed, of
Foxhill CRescent, Camberley, Surrey.

They all deny the same charge.

Mr Alt said officers watched members of the gang test the
bogus cards in telephone kiosks in the Beckenham and Bromley South
area.

He said they then moved to banks and building societies
armed with the false plastic.

The court heard that Barcalays Bank machines actually
retained the cards.

The trial contniues.

ends