Gatineau police arrested several suspects following a debit machine fraud at a McDonald’s fast food establishment last week.
Police said yesterday three men entered a McDonald’s at 378 Maloney Blvd. just before midnight on Thursday and ordered food.
While the employee was getting the order, a debit machine was switched and replaced with one designed to store debit numbers.
The suspects then left the store, only to return the next day, when the machines were switched again.
Police are crediting a store employee for vigilance in catching onto the scam. The employee reported the incident to the police, who later arrested three suspects.
Elie G. Samara, 19, and Kambiz Pedran, 20, of Montreal, appeared in Gatineau court yesterday to face charges of theft, fraud and possession of instruments for the purpose of fraud.
A 22-year-old man will appear in court at a later date, while a 16-year-old girl was released without charges.
In an effort to fight fraud, Gatineau police are reminding employees at establishments to be vigilant with their debit machines, and to check them several times a day to prevent fraud.
