The RAPF have released information about the first successful cash forfeiture and prosecution last month under new ‘Proceeds of Crime’ legislation which has resulted in US$4,300 in cash being recovered from a criminal gang and a fine of EC$25,790 being imposed.
Quick thinking by a bank employee alerted the RAPF to a man acting suspiciously at an ATM in South Hill. The Police reacted immediately and detained Lyes Hannachi after a short chase. At the time of his arrest Mr Hannachi had two ‘cloned’ French-issued credit cards in his possession and a piece of paper containing PIN numbers and US$ 4,300 in cash.
Mr Hannachi, a French National, was believed to have been operating with two other men who left Anguilla before they too could be detained. The men visited various ATMs around Anguilla on Sunday 2nd March and withdrew around US$ 6,000, using multiple cards to withdraw the maximum allowed for each card.
Police enquiries with credit card companies revealed that the cards used had been ‘skimmed’ in the Paris area and then ‘cloned’ to create duplicate cards. The suspects then travelled to the Caribbean to ‘harvest’ cash from the accounts.
Following the court case Detective Inspector Ian McDonald from the FIU said:
“I am grateful to the member of the public who swiftly alerted the police whilst the crime was taking place. This enabled members of the RAPF’s Criminal Investigation Department to arrest the suspect at the ATM, and provided essential evidence that allowed for a successful prosecution by the AG’s Chambers”
Mr. Hannachi pleaded guilty to offences of Going Equipped to Steal, Theft, and Handling Stolen Goods. He was fined a total of EC$25,790 and has since been deported from Anguilla. The fine US$4,300 of forfeited cash will be put towards the proceeds of crime fund and spent on supporting the RAPF’s fight against crime.
The case highlights concerns over identity theft and credit card fraud, with European gangs targeting Caribbean islands. Earlier this week, three Romanians were arrested in St. Maarten for a similar crime and remain in custody for questioning.
– Press Release
(Published without editing by The Anguillian newspaper.)
