Caught on CCTV: Pair wanted after 46 cards cloned at Halesowen petrol station and £30k fuel stolen
This CCTV footage shows two men who the police believe to be involved in a fuel card cloning scam in which £30,000 of petrol and diesel is thought to have been stolen from forecourts across the West Midlands.
A rogue cashier is suspected of cloning 46 cards at a Halesowen petrol station, and then passing them on to thieves who topped up their tanks at the expense of companies signed up to the scheme.
The Allstar Fuel Cards were cloned between November 2013 and May 2014 before being used repeatedly at regional garages, primarily in the Washwood Heath and Erdington areas of Birmingham.
The two men shown in the CCTV footage used these duplicate cards to buy fuel.
Police officers have arrested and charged a cashier - a 26-year-old man from Cradley Heath - with multiple counts of making articles to be used in fraud. He has been bailed to appear at Birmingham Magistrates Court today.
Detective Constable Launa Rowley, said: "We believe the men have used around 100 different vehicles. The scam was identified after some fuel card customers reported strange transactions on their accounts - but whenever one of the cards became 'hot' the fraudsters moved into the next cloned card in order to keep the con going.
"That's why they were able to rack up such a large quantity of stolen fuel over a period of many months.
"We've obtained very clear CCTV images of the two men we'd like to speak to about this fraud and I'd urge anyone who believes they recognise them to contact me."
One suspect, seen walking to a car on the forecourt at a BP station in St Andrews Lane, Bordesley, is described as an Asian male in his late 20s or early 30s, stocky build, with short dark hair and a beard. He has been shown on camera wearing several distinctive jumpers.
The other man is white, around the same age, slim build, with short dark-brown hair and a side parting. He is often seen wearing a dark blue or grey parka-style coat with a fur hood and toggle fastenings on the front, or a fawn and brown hooded top with shoulder patches.
A 26-year-old man from Cradley Heath has been charged with multiple counts of making articles to be used in fraud and has been bailed to appear at Birmingham Magistrates Court on February 27.
Two other men, aged 26 and 25, were also arrested but released without charge.
Anyone who believes they recognise the men is asked to call the Economic Crime Unit at West Midlands Police on the 101 number, or call the independent charity Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.
