ATM fraud: bitcoins used in transfer

The Romanian who was arrested in Delhi on Monday in connection with an ATM fraud in the city had transferred money back home to Constanta in Romania in bitcoins, police have said.

Siliviu Florin Spiridon, 28, and his gang had Uttar Pradesh on their sight after Calcutta but Spiridon’s arrest put paid to the plans, an officer in Lalbazar said.

The ATM fraud had left 70 Calcuttans poorer by Rs 14 lakh. Their money had been withdrawn from ATMs in south Delhi while the cards were with them. The police have said Spiridon cloned ATM cards using skimmers (devices that are fitted in ATMs to copy card details).