ATMs robbed more often in Ukraine

Two million UAH were stolen from Ukrainian ATMs during 5 months of 2013, head of the security department at the Interior Ministry of Ukraine Svitlana Pavlovska told a press-conference, ForUm correspondent reports.

According to law enforcement official, in 2011 this sum amounted to about 9 million UAH, and in the last year - 12 million UAH. Number of thefts from ATMs is also growing: in 2012 there were 24 thefts, and since the beginning of this year, there have already been about 20.

Expert relates it to the fact that about 80% of ATMs are not protected in the country. "As of today, almost 37 thousand ATMs are registered in Ukraine, of which less than 10% are protected by state security services and even less – by non-state security structures. It turns out that banks equip ATMs and simply invite criminals to robbery. Hacking of unguarded ATM takes 2-3 minutes, usually by opening the rear panel, and removal of the cassette with money. Especially promptly ATMs are opened in places where there are few people at night and there is good access for vehicles. Most burglaries carried out by persons previously convicted and professional thieves. Detection of such crime does not exceed 30%," the expert said.

“To improve the situation, the Interior Ministry recommends to protect all ATMs, reduce amount of money in them, and use two levels of alarm – for an ATM as a whole and separately for cassettes. "Now we expect the National Bank to work out the appropriate regulations for the banking environment," Pavlovska added.