The Vietnamese Ministry of Public Security will instruct its forces to help banks to prevent ATM crimes which have become an increasing problem in the country recently.
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| Scence of an attacked ATM |
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| Three pupils and exhibits at the police station |
On December 17, the Economic Crime Investigation Department and Department of Criminal Police under the ministry worked with the Vietnam Bank Card Association and the State Bank’s Payment Department to discuss measures to deal with ATM crimes.
According to the Vietnam Bank Card Association, over the past two months, the country saw nine cases of ATM theft with a combined loss of over VND2 billion (USD100,000) in two cases. The situation not only causes huge losses for bank’s assets but also worries ATM users.
After these cases, many banks have tightened control over their ATM’s security through installing more lights at night, checking the machines regularly and particularly considering the application of special warning equipment with smoke and remote cameras.
The association will soon disseminate effective ATM protection methods applied by several banks for its members.
The banking side and the Ministry of Public Security have also agreed to impose strict punishment on activities of stealing and robbing money from ATMs.
Most recently, on December 9, three secondary school pupils were caught red-handed using wielding tools to attack an ATM of Saigon Commercial Bank in Vinh City, central Nghe An Province.
The pupils said that, through reading newspapers, they knew some simple tools such as gas cylinders, pincers and sprayers could be used to destroy ATMs. However, their action was detected before they could steal any money.
