Romanian Duo Appears in Court Over Alleged ATM Fraud in Papua New Guinea
Two Romanian nationals accused of orchestrating a card-cloning scheme appeared before the Waigani Committal Court in Papua New Guinea this morning for arraignment. The suspects, arrested on January 21st at the Kennedy Estate in Port Moresby, are alleged to be part of an international syndicate involved in electronic fraud and theft targeting Papua New Guinea's banking systems.
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| Romanian Duo Appears in Court Over Alleged ATM Fraud in Papua New Guinea |
The accused, identified as Tudor Vasile and Lingurar Alexandru, were apprehended following extensive police surveillance and analysis of CCTV footage from multiple ATMs across Port Moresby. Vasile had previously been detained by city wardens on January 3rd in downtown Port Moresby but was released by authorities before being rearrested alongside his accomplice earlier this month. Investigators claim the pair arrived in Papua New Guinea on tourist visas in 2024 and began targeting the country’s financial infrastructure shortly thereafter.
Authorities allege that between October and December of last year, the duo exploited vulnerabilities in BSP’s (Bank South Pacific) ATM and EFTPOS networks, using cloned gift cards to make unauthorized withdrawals totaling K39,737. These funds reportedly belonged to unsuspecting BSP customers in Papua New Guinea. The suspects now face multiple charges, including data espionage, electronic fraud, false pretenses, theft, and dealing in criminal property under Papua New Guinean law.
During today’s proceedings, police prosecutor Sandra Holland highlighted challenges posed by a language barrier, as neither suspect speaks English. Ms. Holland revealed that officers resorted to using Google Translate during interrogations to communicate with the accused while they were in custody in Papua New Guinea.
Magistrate Paul Puri Nii emphasized that regardless of nationality or the nature of the alleged offenses, the rule of law would apply equally in Papua New Guinea. However, he noted that due process requires clear communication between the court and defendants during arraignment. As such, Magistrate Nii granted the prosecution two weeks to secure the services of a qualified Romanian translator to ensure fair proceedings in accordance with Papua New Guinea’s legal standards.
In the interim, the magistrate ordered the confiscation of the accused’s passports and issued a remand warrant to keep them in custody. The court has adjourned the case until February 19th, allowing time for the necessary arrangements to facilitate proper legal proceedings in Papua New Guinea.
The investigation into the alleged fraud continues, with authorities urging the public in Papua New Guinea to remain vigilant against similar schemes targeting the country’s financial systems. Law enforcement agencies have reiterated their commitment to safeguarding the integrity of banking operations and protecting citizens from cybercrime.
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