A fraudster has been jailed for more than a year after stealing banks cards and thousands of pounds from victims at ATMs across Hertfordshire.

Isidor Martinca, of Collard Avenue, Loughton, appeared at St Albans Crown Court on Wednesday, and was sentenced to 15 months in prison for 18 fraud offences.

The 35-year-old carried out thefts in Hitchin, Royston and Welwyn Garden City between October 2021 and July 2022, by fitting a device to cash machines which retained the cards and their details.

According to Investigator Alan Mordey, from Hertfordshire Constabulary’s Serious Fraud and Cyber Unit, victims lost several thousand pounds, but there are hopes the money will be recovered through the Proceeds of Crime Act.

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"Following our investigation, which was supported by experts within the banking industry, we were able to determine how the offender was able to obtain the victims’ bank cards and PIN, using a device placed inside the card slot," he said.

"Unfortunately, victims have lost several thousand pounds between them, but hopefully this sentencing and the prospect of some of the funds being recovered will be of some comfort."

You can report information about a crime online at herts.police.uk/report, via online web chat at herts.police.uk/contact or call the non-emergency number 101.

Alternatively, contact Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111 or online at crimestoppers-uk.org.