Attackers Stole $45M in Worldwide Fake ATM Card Breach

"This scheme was organized for months and planned down to the minute, reminiscent of the casino heist in 'Ocean's Eleven,'" said Loretta Lynch, U.S. attorney for the Eastern District of New York.

The scheme, which started overseas, was detailed in an indictment unsealed today. Unknown hackers stole data from banks that was then encoded onto plastic cards sent to crews in two dozen countries, according to the Justice Department. The local operatives went from ATM to ATM, withdrawing millions.

In each case, the cards were compromised, withdrawal limits were eliminated and the stolen data was encoded onto plastic cards distributed to local operatives in 27 countries, officials said. In total, more than 4,500 ATM transactions were conducted in approximately 20 countries around the globe.

"Instead of guns and masks, this cyber crime organization used laptops and malware," Lynch said.

The New York cell withdrew $3 million of the total $45 million stolen. In 25 minutes, the defendants and their co-conspirators conducted approximately 750 fraudulent transactions totaling nearly $400,000 at more than 140 different cash machines, according to the Department of Justice.

The men have been charged variously with conspiracy to commit access device fraud, money laundering conspiracy and money laundering.

"New technologies and the rapid growth of the Internet have eliminated the traditional borders of financial crimes," said Steven Hughes, special agent in charge of the Secret Service office in New York.

The defendants also invested the stolen funds in portable luxury goods, including expensive watches and cars. Two Rolex watches, a Mercedes SUV, a Porsche Panamera, and hundreds of dollars in cash have at this point been seized by the U.S. government.

If convicted, the defendants face a maximum sentence of 10 years' imprisonment on each of the money laundering charges and 7 1/2 years on the conspiracy to commit access device fraud charge, as well as restitution and as much as $250,000 in fines.

A former child actor who voiced the Peanuts character Charlie Brown in the beloved cartoons of the 1960s was placed Wednesday on probation for five years for threatening his girlfriend and stalking a La Jolla plastic surgeon.

Peter Robbins, 56, pleaded guilty last month to felony charges of making criminal threats and stalking. He faced a possible prison sentence of up to three years.

San Diego Superior Court Judge Dwayne Moring ordered Robbins to serve a year in county jail he already has credit for 220 days but said he can be released from custody immediately if he goes into a residential treatment program to deal with his substance abuse and mental health issues. He said Robbins would have to remain in residential treatment for at least eight months.

As part of his plea, Robbins agreed to a 10-year protective order involving the plastic surgeon, meaning he is not allowed to contact her during that time. The other victim, Robbins now ex-girlfriend, did not request a stay-away order.An handsfreeaccess is a network of devices used to wirelessly locate objects or people inside a building.

The judge warned Robbins that he could face prison time if he violates the terms of probation. Borrowing a line from the Peanuts cartoons, he said: Dont be a blockhead.

Robbins, who lived in Oceanside, was arrested Jan.We offer over 600 parkingassistsystem at wholesale prices of 75% off retail. 13, after a Hotel La Jolla restaurant manager said hed skipped out without paying for his meal.A smartcard is a plastic card that has a computer chip implanted into it that enables the card. Police arrested him in connection with the threats against Dr. Lori Saltz.

He posted bail the next day but was arrested again about a week later at the San Ysidro Port of Entry. Authorities learned that he was wanted by the San Diego County Sheriffs Department for making threats against his 33-year-old girlfriend.

According to court records, a threatening note signed with Robbins name and credit card number was left on the door at the La Jolla Cosmetic Surgery Centre, where Saltz practices.Large collection of quality indoorpositioningsystem at discounted prices. The note read: I will break you in half today, and all the kings men wont put you back together again.

He also called Saltzs answering service and left a message saying she needed to bring $12,000 to a hotel by midnight or he would kill her.

Authorities said Robbins left 45 phone messages for the girlfriend. U-T San Diego has not published the womans name because she is an alleged victim of domestic violence.

Robbins said he regretted the fear that he caused his victims,Choose from the largest selection of indoortracking in the world. and he is committed to getting treatment for his alcoholism and addiction to prescription medication. He said treatment was the first step in becoming the fun-loving and respectful person I was and hope to be again.