POLICE and a victim are warning the public to be on guard after a new ATM cash machine fraud emerged in Bradford.

Builder Kane Butters, 25, foiled a fraudster, who had fixed a recording and trapping device to a cashpoint outside Holme Top post office on Manchester Road, when he uncovered the scam.

Mr Butters was trying to withdraw cash from the machine when he encountered difficulties.

Bradford Telegraph and Argus: An image of the card capture device on the front of the card reader slot

He said: "I was waiting for the machine to give me my card back, but it just kept beeping. Then it went blank and the lights went out. When it came back on, it said it was out of service.

"I didn't know what to do because the machine still had my card. I had a good look inside and I saw there was a little grey box on the left hand side of the cash machine. I pulled it and it fell off into my hands. Inside the box was an iPod, which was video recording, and there were four magnets to hold it in place.

"I realised they were trying to record my pin and I was a victim of fraud."

Bradford Telegraph and Argus: An image of the card capture device on the front of the card reader slot..

Mr Butters, who lives nearby in Rigton Street, said he could see his card and was using a pair of pliers to try to release it when a trapping device fell out.

"My card was sat behind it," he said. "I had got everything, including the fraudster's tools of the trade. I came home and put it all in a plastic bag for the police.

"I played back the recording and you can see a guy's hands installing the device. It took thirty seconds. Six minutes later, I show up."

Mr Butters added: "I hadn't seen anything like it before. It was like James Bond, I didn't think it was real. It was so simple and effective.

"I have been to that cash machine many times before when it seemed to be out of service, so there could have been other victims who have lost money. I would advise people to always be wary and on the ball."

Bradford Telegraph and Argus: An image of the card capture device on the front of the card reader slot

Police have received a report of a similar incident at the post office cash machine in Dracup Road, Great Horton. The skimming device is known as a Lebanese Loop.

A spokesman said: "We are aware of a couple of recent incidents where card skimming devices appear to have been fitted to cash machines in Bradford, so would ask for people to be alert when using them.

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"If the machine appears to have been tampered with or had equipment fitted which looks out of place then report this to the bank immediately - either by calling into the branch or by phone.

"If the machine doesn't pay out or your card is retained and you don't receive a clear message on the screen as to why, then this should be reported immediately too.

"Also, always check for anyone who might be watching you use the machine and make sure you cover the key pad when entering your PIN number.

If you believe you may have been a victim of card skimming or any other fraudulent activity, or have any information about anyone who could be committing these crimes, report it either to police via 101, Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555111."

Bradford Telegraph and Argus: An image Kane took of the device removed from the roof of the machine

Police explained the device allowed someone to insert their card and enter their pin number. They are prompted to select the amount required and then the machine will display "OUT OF ORDER" on the screen. A camera above the keyboard captures the pin. Believing that the card has been retained by the machine, people walk away. The offenders who have fitted the device are often nearby and will approach the machine, remove the card and retrieve the pin from the camera footage. The card is then often used some time later to withdraw cash from the victim's account.