Robbers, infected ATMs with virus, apprehended in Kyiv. PHOTOS

Kyiv police apprehended members of a criminal group that was hacking ATMs.

The violators infected ATMs with malicious software code through a flash drive. This allowed them to withdraw money stored in ATMs, Censor.NET reports citing the National police press service.

The virus not only allows issuing money, but also collects all the information about payment cards used in a particular ATM and PIN-codes. It is much more difficult to identify the infection comparing to the stealing data using an attached skimmer, since infected ATMs remains intact outside.

Police apprehended the thieves directly at the crime scene, near one of the ATMs at Porika Street in Kyiv. Officers seized metal scissors, a screwdriver and a flash drive with malicious software.

Police officers made four warranted searches at the places of residence of the defendants. They seized about 15 bank cards, computers, flash drivers, copies of passports in the name of different persons, money and draft notes. The police have also seized 6.35 mm caliber pistol and 40 cartridges.

Currently, two of the three intruders detained. Criminal proceedings have been opened under article 361 (part 2 - unauthorized intervention in the operation of computers, automated systems, computer networks) of the Criminal Code of Ukraine. The suspects face up to six years in jail.