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CRIME

Accounts plundered by Vietnamese pirates

Thirty-one bank accounts at banks in Horn in Lower Austria have been completely emptied, including overdrafts, by high-tech pirates operating from Vietnam. More than €100,000 was stolen.

Published: 4 July 2014 09:33 CEST
Accounts plundered by Vietnamese pirates
Photo: APA File

The accounts were struck by an international skimming gang, who specialize in ATM fraud, according to a report in the daily tabloid Heute on Friday.

Police believe that the same gang struck accounts in Krems in May, also in Lower Austria.

Skimming is a sophisticated fraud technique which involves placing a second keyboard over the existing keyboard of the bank's ATM (known locally as a Bankomat). Additionally, a magnetic strip reader is placed in front of the card slot.

The combination of keyboard capture and strip reading means that both the account number and PIN are stolen by the scammer.

Once the information is obtained, it's used to create fake cards, which are taken to ATMs in Vietnam, where cash is withdrawn from the accounts via the international banking network.

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CRIME

Vienna police investigating possible ‘threat’ to Donau Zentrum shopping centre

The Viennese police have confirmed they are investigating a possible - and unspecified - threat to the popular shopping centre in the city's 22nd district.

Published: 29 April 2024 17:32 CEST
Vienna police investigating possible 'threat' to Donau Zentrum shopping centre

The Vienna police confirmed they are investigating a non-specified threat to the Donau Zentrum shopping centre, located in the Austrian capital’s 22nd district, a spokesperson told The Local. 

On Monday, pictures of an alleged internal document sent by the shopping centre to tenants circulated on social media and messaging apps. The document stated there was a “threat against the Westfield Donau Zentrum for April 30, 2024”. It stated that the authorities had been working to identify suspects since yesterday.

“The source of the threat is a photo circulating online”, the statement said without giving further details. “If we receive additional information or specifications, we will immediately inform you”, it added.

“There is currently no reason for you as an employee to worry as we are strictly following police guidelines”, the document said. It was signed by Petra Prissnitz, deputy centre manager. The Local reached out to Donau Zentrum media representatives but did not receive any response.

The Vienna police did confirm the veracity of the statement and added, “We are aware of the matter and are investigating”, they replied after an inquiry on their official social media channels. The Local reached out to the press office for further clarification, but has not yet received a response.

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