Jerusalem Taxi Driver Arrested for Credit Card Fraud Scheme
A Jerusalem taxi driver was arrested for allegedly swindling dozens of passengers out of hundreds of thousands of shekels by swapping their credit cards after acquiring their PINs.
A taxi driver in his 30s from Kafr Aqab has been arrested on suspicion of defrauding dozens of passengers by swapping their credit cards after obtaining their PINs, withdrawing hundreds of thousands of shekels in cash, and making numerous store purchases.
The investigation was launched at the Lev HaBira police station in the Jerusalem district following multiple complaints from passengers who reported falling victim to fraud by a taxi driver. According to the investigation, the driver offered passengers the option to pay for the ride by credit card, and during the payment process, asked them to disclose their secret PIN.
After obtaining the cards and PINs, the driver allegedly swapped the passengers' credit cards, using the stolen cards to withdraw cash and purchase goods at various businesses. The total amount of money withdrawn and transactions made in this manner is estimated at hundreds of thousands of shekels.
Arrest and Police Warning
As part of the investigation, detectives from the Lev HaBira station tracked down the suspect's identity. On November 5, he was arrested at one of the Jerusalem envelope crossings by officers from the district crossing unit, and a court extended his detention.
Staff Sergeant Esti Dets, an investigator at the Lev HaBira station, stated: «We opened an investigation following several complaints regarding suspected fraud committed by a taxi driver against passengers. The suspect offered passengers to pay by credit card, asked for their PIN, and thus withdrew funds and made purchases in numerous stores amounting to hundreds of thousands of shekels.»
Following the case, police urged the public to remain vigilant when paying with credit cards, especially when the card is handed to another person for a transaction. Dets warned: «I urge the public to exercise extreme caution. Do not give your PIN to anyone. You must enter it yourself if requested, and ensure that the card returned to you is indeed yours. In case of suspicion, immediately contact the credit card company to block the card and file a police complaint.»
