Dedicated Cheque and Plastic Crime Unit on ITV1 tomorrow at 9pm

The Dedicated Cheque and Plastic Crime Unit (DCPCU) will be the focus of attention on ITV1’s ‘Fraud Squad’ tomorrow at 9pm.

The hour-long programme, which also features the force’s Cheque and Credit Card Unit (CCCU), shows how detectives are tackling organised crime gangs making millions from cash machine crime.

The gangs use an array of equipment to steal customers’ bank account details. Secret cameras record pin numbers and skimmers copy account details from the magnetic strip on the bank card. Some gangs even design new fascias to put on the cash machines.

Head of the DCPCU, DCI Paul Barnard, said: “Criminals are constantly evolving their technology to beat the crime prevention technology being put in place by the banks.”

Viewers will also learn how Romanian nationals have a monopoly on the trade, equipment and rewards. 

“The fact is 92 per cent of all ATM fraud we see in this country is committed by Romanian nationals. Very, very tight communities, very tight gangs”, continued DCI Barnard.

“The crime is highly lucrative earning the gangs well over £2 million a month and the competition is fierce.”   

Tomorrow’s documentary follows last year’s two-part ‘Fraud Squad’ series on the force’s investigation into an international boiler room fraud.