SBC Sacramento reports that on Wednesday, the Sheriff’s Hi Tech Crimes Detectives arrested three suspects for identity theft.
During a month sheriff’s detectives, CHP, the Sacramento Police Department, San Joaquin Sheriff’s Department, and the FBI was making investigation ,at the result of which Gagik Verdyan, 34, Mihran Hakobyan, 27, and Karine Khachaturyan, 20 were arrested. They allegedly installed skimming devices and stole thousands of credit card numbers. Detectives recovered thousands of credit card numbers, hundreds of counterfeit California ID cards, counterfeit credit cards, and skimming devices.
Officials say that the majority of the skimming devices were installed inside gas pump panels. Opening the panels did not disrupt service or trigger any alarms; and it only took seconds to install the skimming devices. The devices were inconspicuous from the outside and only became notable when the panels were opened.
Detectives are informing banks and their customers about the stolen credit card numbers and asking that gas station operators check all their equipment. In case a skimmer is found, operators are advised not to touch or remove the device, and contact local law enforcement. Each suspect is imprisoned by pending bail of $2,000,000 or more.
