Arrest Made After Attempted Credit Card Skimming at Greenwood Walmart

Police – Accident – Death – Obituary News : Credit card skimming, a long-standing criminal activity, rarely results in arrests. However, last week, two individuals were arrested for attempting to skim credit cards at the Greenwood Walmart on Emerson Avenue. The suspects were identified as Aleksandras Denisovas, 48, and Tom Kauppila, 52. According to court documents, Walmart Asset Protection associates witnessed the men installing card skimming devices at self-checkouts in the store.

Video footage from the store showed Denisovas installing two card skimmers, while Kauppila appeared to obstruct the view of store associates. Fortunately, the devices were promptly removed since the store associate witnessed the installation, preventing any customer information from being stolen. Matt Fillenwarth, Greenwood’s assistant chief of police, confirmed that no individuals were impacted by this incident.

The loss prevention associate followed the suspects outside the store and provided the police with their location. During questioning, Denisovas refused to speak, while Kauppila claimed not to understand the police’s questions. Lance Hamner, the prosecutor, stated that the Johnson County Prosecutor’s Office and the Greenwood Police Department are currently investigating the matter, with criminal charges expected to be filed once the investigation concludes.

Detectives are also looking into possible connections between the suspects and other recent card skimming incidents reported in nearby areas. Fillenwarth mentioned that the two men are not U.S. citizens, and one of them is believed to be from Finland. Both individuals have been transferred to the custody of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement.

Card skimming, also known as possession of a transaction duplication device, is a major concern for the prosecutor’s office. Hamner emphasized the alarming increase in this type of crime, explaining that skimming allows criminals to steal credit card data and make unauthorized charges. He compared it to stealing a credit card without physically possessing it. Skimming is an act of theft that can result in significant financial losses for victims if not detected and addressed promptly.

Traditionally, skimming devices have been found at ATMs and gas station pay-at-the-pump card readers. The older-style devices, called shimmers, are difficult to detect since they are installed inside card readers. On the other hand, newer-style devices, like the ones recovered in this incident, are placed on top of card readers and are designed to blend in. These devices collect both credit card numbers and pin numbers from unsuspecting customers.

Once the skimming devices or shimmers are installed, criminals typically wait nearby to intercept the transmitted card information using Bluetooth or radio waves. They then sell this data on the dark web or use it to make fraudulent online purchases. Due to the precautions taken by criminals during installation, it is rare for law enforcement to catch individuals in the act of skimming.

Hamner emphasized the seriousness of credit card information theft, as it enables repeated fraudulent transactions. He stated that the prosecutor’s office aggressively prosecutes skimming cases, seeking substantial jail sentences for those convicted of this crime. Hamner firmly believes that organized and planned stealing should result in significant penalties.

To protect themselves from skimmers, consumers should be vigilant and look for signs of tampering when using card machines. Hamner suggested checking if keypad buttons are unusually difficult to press, examining whether any part of the machine (especially the card reader) appears out of place, and assessing the overall sturdiness of the device. Any suspicious devices should be reported to store employees and the police.

If individuals suspect that their card has been skimmed and fraudulent charges have been made, Hamner provided the following steps to take:

1. Immediately contact the credit card company or bank to report the fraudulent activity.
2. Review recent transactions, particularly those made at restaurants, ATMs, or gas stations, to identify any unusual or suspicious charges.
3. If possible, recall where the skimming incident may have occurred and notify the police.

Card skimming is a pervasive crime that can have severe financial consequences for victims. By remaining vigilant and promptly reporting any suspicious activity, individuals can minimize the impact of skimming incidents..