Russian busted by police in Phuket

Police nabbed a Russian ATM skimmer for stealing more than 100,000 baht from foreigners bank accounts just before he was set to leave the island yesterday morning. Nicolai Petrishin, 27, was arrested at Novotel Resort in Kamala in possession of equipment used for the scam.

Mr. Petrishin told police that he had arrived in Phuket on September 28 with the intention of skimming ATMs. He brought 50 electronic ATM cards to Phuket with him for this purpose, explained Maj Gen Patchara. Once he used a card, he dumped it into the canal in Kamala, Gen Patchara said. Dozens of ditched cards were recovered by police.

Officers are looking into whether or not any other suspects were involved in the possible skimming network. Mr. Petrishin is facing charges for skimming the accounts, confirmed Gen Patchara. phuketgazette.com