Chinese suspects arrested last week for suspected ATM fraud remanded until Thursday

The logo of the Seychelles Police Force (Seychelles Police Force)

(Seychelles News Agency) - Two Chinese nationals who were arrested last week were brought to court on Tuesday in connection with bank card fraud, the police said.

The first suspect, a 43-year-old Chinese man was arrested Friday and his compatriot later the same day at a guest house in the north of Mahe, the main island.

The arrest was made after the Central Police Station received an anonymous call around 10:45 pm on Friday reporting that a Chinese man was withdrawing large sum of money at the Seychelles Commercial Bank  ATM using many different  cards, the police statement said.

A bag in the Chinese national’s possession led to the discovery of over 70,000 Seychelles rupees ($5,100) in 500 and 100 notes, money he could not account for, the statement said.

Also in the suspect’s possession were mobile phones and several different coloured credit cards which police believe have been used for ATM cash withdrawal.

The statement said the police also seized counterfeit bank cards in possession of the second suspect.

The two suspects were brought to court twice on Monday, in the morning and afternoon. The lawyer they had contacted did not turn up on both occasions so the court ordered they be brought again on Tuesday.

When they appeared before the magistrate court on Tuesday they were remanded in police custody until next Thursday.