Card-Skimming Scammers

LASD Detectives on High-Tech Taskforce 

Net Two Card-Skimming Scammers

The Southern California High Tech Task Force (SCHTTF) is a collaborative effort of local, county state, and federal law enforcement agencies working in unison to combat high tech crime involving the internet, intellectual property, computer equipment, emerging technologies, theft of identity information and numerous other high tech crimes. The SCHTTF includes members of both federal and local law enforcement agencies throughout Los Angeles County working jointly to combat cyber crimes and fraud. 

On Sunday, December 15, 2013, detectives from the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department assigned to the SCHTTF, worked with United States Secret Service and Federal Bureau of Investigation personnel, and arrested two suspects involved in installing card-skimming devices in banks in affluent areas located in the southern part of the San Fernando Valley. 

The investigation began in September, 2012, when detectives working in a joint investigation with two banking entities became alerted to skimming devices being installed at banks in Sherman Oaks and Encino. 

Working off leads provided by bank investors, taskforce investigators developed information which led to both suspects being arrested. Their vehicle was stopped Sunday morning, December 15, 2013, by undercover law enforcement officers, on the Ventura Boulevard on-ramp to the Interstate 405 Freeway, in Encino. Both suspects were booked at the West Hollywood Sheriff’s Station. 

Search warrants were served at both suspects’ homes later the same day. Evidence indicating the suspects were involved in the criminal act of installing skimming devices on ATMs was recovered. 

Multiple felony counts of Identity Theft were filed against the two men, Georgi Nikolov, 32, of North Hollywood, and Dimitar Dimitrov, 36, of Santa Monica, with the High Tech Crimes Division of the Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Office. Nikolov and Dimitrov are both being held in the Los Angeles County jail system, in lieu of $70,000 bail. 

The Southern California High Tech Task Force includes members of both federal and local law enforcement agencies throughout Los Angeles County working jointly to combat cyber crimes and fraud. 

New Years Eve Safety Tips

Drinking: While this goes under the “common sense” rule, it still must be said, DON’T SIT YOUR DRINK DOWN ANYWHERE! A lot of times people are too trusting within their surrounding and tend to put their drink down where anyone can get to it, keep your drink with you. Even if you have to go to the bathroom, either take it with you or give it to a close friend of yours. Whatever you do, don’t leave your drink at a table and then come back to it. While New Year’s Eve is super fun it’s also super dangerous when it comes to someone spiking your drink while it’s unattended. When you are popping champagne bottles, aim the cork away from people. This may sound funny, however; it’s a serious issue, it’s all fun and games until someone loses an eye!

Driving: Whatever you do this New Year’s Eve, DON’T DRINK AND DRIVE! Even if you’ve had only a couple of drinks, have a designated driver to drive you around. You many think that you’re not that “buzzed up”, however you’re wrong! To avoid problems with accidents and the law, have someone “sober” drive for you. This doesn’t count if your designated driver had drinks along with you; make sure your driver is alcohol free for the night.

Public Events: Being that it’s New Year’s Eve I’m sure you’re going to want to attend all of the parties and New Year’s festivities. When attending these events, beware of your surroundings at all times! This is extremely important since you may be drinking around tons of people you don’t know in a place you’ve probably never been. Never go to these types of places by yourself. This doesn’t just go for women it also goes for men! When at public events make sure you have a communication device such as cell phone or laptop just in case anything negative occurs. Be prepared!

No Fireworks or Guns: This will be enforced to the fullest by law enforcement when it comes to New Year’s Eve festivities. If you are going to engage in fireworks, leave it up to the professionals. If you are caught with fireworks this New Year’s Eve, it may be more than just a fine; it may possibly lead to jail time!

Friends: If you plan on going anywhere for the New Year’s Eve holiday, take friends with you! When going to any type of party or function, don’t go alone! This is really important when it comes to females going out, always stay in groups!

Pet Safety: Nothing frightens pet’s more than sudden loud noises. Extra attention must be given so your pets won’t run away in a panic. Scared, running pets can be hit by cars, cause accidents, and become lost...not to mention, frequently bite people.

Other tips for your New Year’s Celebration include:

Make sure all fences and gates are secure.

Make sure your pet has its ID or dog license, come down and microchip NOW, if you already have a microchip make sure it is current.

Ask your veterinarian for tranquilizers if your animal has shown signs of extreme uneasiness in the past.

Keep your pets INSIDE, in a comfortable room, with comforting music playing to drowned out scary noises.



These Safety Tips are good for Christmas and Holiday Parties as well.

Target hit by data breach affecting 40 million customers

Target says that about 40 million credit and debit card accounts may have been affected by a data breach that occurred just as the holiday shopping season shifted into high gear.

The chain said that accounts of customers who made purchases by swiping their cards at terminals in its US stores between November 27 and December 15 may have been exposed. The stolen data includes customer names, credit and debit card numbers, card expiration dates and the three-digit security codes located on the backs of cards. The data breach did not affect online purchases.

 Target advised customers to check their statements carefully. Those who suspect there has been unauthorized activity on their cards should report it to their credit card companies and call Target at 866-852-8680. Cases of identity theft can also be reported to law enforcement or the Federal Trade Commission.

BE RESPONSIBLE - DON'T DRINK AND DRIVE

Community: 495 DUI arrests by LA County policing agencies Fri-Sun. Avoid 100 Policing Agencies

Winter Holiday AVOID DUI Campaign – Monday Update 3

The Winter Holiday Anti-DUI crackdown has resulted in more DUI arrests from local routine traffic enforcement and special Avoid the 100 DUI deployments overnight in Los Angeles County. From 12:01 AM Friday December 13, 2013 through midnight Sunday December 15, 2013 officers representing 100 county law enforcement agencies have arrested 495 individuals for driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs. In 2012, 456 DUI arrests occurred during the same three (3) day time period. (**NOTE: These numbers are only provisional with some agencies yet to report**)

Over the course of the next several days of the campaign, DUI checkpoints and extra local DUI saturation patrols will be deployed throughout the county. All regularly scheduled traffic and patrol
officers will focus efforts at stopping and arresting DUI drivers during their normal shifts.

Police, Sheriff and the CHP encourage all motorists to help make your community safer: Report Drunk Drivers – Call 911! Funding for this program is provided by a grant from the California Office of Traffic Safety, through the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. DUI arrest data collection will continue through New Year’s Eve, midnight Wednesday, January 1, 2014.

Tuesday, December 17

DUI Patrol - Glendora

Thursday, December 19

Checkpoint – LAPD Northeast Area
Checkpoint – LAPD Olympic Area
Checkpoint – LASD Lynwood
Checkpoint – LASD Malibu
DUI Patrol – Signal Hill
DUI Patrol – LAPD Hollywood Area

Friday, December 20
Checkpoint – Avoid the 100 Multi Agency City of Hawthorne (including LAPD)
Checkpoint – Azusa
Checkpoint – Hawthorne
Checkpoint – Huntington Park
Checkpoint – Inglewood
Checkpoint – La Verne
Checkpoint – Pasadena
Checkpoint – Pomona
Checkpoint – Redondo Beach
Checkpoint – Santa Monica
Checkpoint – CHP West Los Angeles Area
Checkpoint – CHP Santa Fe Springs Area
Checkpoint – CHP South Los Angeles Area
Checkpoint – LAPD Hollywood Area
Checkpoint – LAPD Van Nuys Area
Checkpoint – LASD Bellflower
Checkpoint – LASD Palmdale
DUI Patrol – Avoid the 100 Multi Agency (Arcadia, West Covina, Baldwin Park School Police, El Monte, Monrovia,
and Sierra Madre)
DUI Patrol – Avoid the 100 Multi Agency (San Gabriel, Downey, Alhambra, Monterey Park, Montebello, Bell
Gardens, Whittier)
DUI Patrol – Avoid the 100 Multi Agency (El Camino College Police, El Segundo, Gardena, Hawthorne, Hermosa
Beach, Inglewood, Manhattan Beach, Palos Verdes Estates, Redondo Beach, Torrance)
DUI Patrol – Pomona

Saturday, December 21

Checkpoint – Avoid the 100 Multi-agency in Covina (Glendora, Azusa, Covina, Irwindale, Pomona, La Verne,
Claremont, ABC, CHP Probation and LAPD)
Checkpoint – Avoid the 100 Multi-agency in Arcadia (Arcadia, West Covina, Baldwin Park School Police, El
Monte, Sierra Madre)
Checkpoint – Avoid the 100 Multi Agency City of Huntington Park (Including LAPD)
Checkpoint – El Monte
Checkpoint – South Pasadena
Checkpoint – CHP Altadena Area
Checkpoint – CHP Baldwin Park Area
Checkpoint – LAPD North Hollywood Area
Checkpoint – LAPD 77th Street Area
DUI Patrol – Avoid the 100 Multi Agency (Glendale, Pasadena, South Pasadena, San Marino, San Fernando,
Burbank)
DUI Patrol – Avoid the 100 Multi Agency (San Gabriel, Downey, Alhambra, Monterey Park, Montebello, Bell
Gardens, Whittier)
DUI Patrol – Avoid the 100 Multi Agency (El Camino College Police, El Segundo, Gardena, Hawthorne, Hermosa
Beach, Inglewood, Manhattan Beach, Palos Verdes Estates, Redondo Beach, Torrance)
DUI Patrol – Long Beach
DUI Patrol – Redondo Beach
DUI Patrol – San Gabriel
DUI Patrol – Whittier

Sunday, December 22

DUI Patrol – LAPD Hollenbeck Area
DUI Patrol – LAPD Devonshire Area
DUI Patrol – LAPD 77th Street Area

Tuesday, December 24 MEP (Maximum Enforcement Period) – CHP Southern Division (beginning at 6:01 p.m.)

Wednesday, December 25 MEP (Maximum Enforcement Period) – CHP Southern Division

Friday, December 27

Checkpoint – El Monte
Checkpoint – Hawthorne
Checkpoint – Pasadena (tentative)
Checkpoint – San Gabriel
Checkpoint – LAPD 77th Street Area
Checkpoint – LAPD West Valley Area
Checkpoint – LASD Industry
DUI Patrol – Avoid the 100 Multi Agency (Glendora, Azusa, Covina, Irwindale, Pomona, La Verne, and Claremont)
DUI Patrol – Avoid the 100 Multi Agency (Arcadia, West Covina, Baldwin Park School Police, El Monte, Monrovia, Sierra Madre)
DUI Patrol – Avoid the 100 Multi Agency (Glendale, Pasadena, South Pasadena, San Marino, San Fernando, Burbank)
DUI Patrol – Avoid the 100 Multi Agency (El Camino College Police, El Segundo, Gardena, Hawthorne, Hermosa
Beach, Inglewood, Manhattan Beach, Palos Verdes Estates, Redondo Beach, Torrance)
DUI Patrol – Bell Gardens

Saturday, December 28

Checkpoint – Arcadia
Checkpoint – San Gabriel
Checkpoint – Whittier
DUI Patrol – Signal Hill
Checkpoint – LAPD Devonshire Area
Checkpoint – LAPD Central Area
Checkpoint – LAPD Hollywood Area
DUI Patrol – Avoid the 100 Multi Agency (Glendale, Pasadena, South Pasadena, San Marino, San Fernando, Burbank)
DUI Patrol – Avoid the 100 Multi Agency (El Camino College Police, El Segundo, Gardena, Hawthorne, Hermosa
Beach, Inglewood, Manhattan Beach, Palos Verdes Estates, Redondo Beach, Torrance)
DUI Patrol – Long Beach
DUI Patrol – Redondo Beach
DUI Patrol – CHP South Los Angeles Area
DUI Patrol – LAPD West Valley

Sunday, December 29

DUI Patrol – Avoid the 100 Multi Agency (El Camino College Police, El Segundo, Gardena, Hawthorne, Hermosa
Beach, Inglewood, Manhattan Beach, Palos Verdes Estates, Redondo Beach, Torrance)
DUI Patrol – West Covina

Monday, December 30

DUI Patrol – Avoid the 100 Multi Agency (El Camino College Police, El Segundo, Gardena, Hawthorne, Hermosa
Beach, Inglewood, Manhattan Beach, Palos Verdes Estates, Redondo Beach, Torrance)

Tuesday, December 31

MEP (Maximum Enforcement Period) – CHP Southern Division (beginning at 6:01 pm)
DUI Patrol – Avoid the 100 Multi Agency (El Camino College Police, El Segundo, Gardena, Hawthorne, Hermosa
Beach, Inglewood, Manhattan Beach, Palos Verdes Estates, Redondo Beach, Torrance)
DUI Patrol – Arcadia
DUI Patrol – LASD Bellflower
DUI Patrol – Pomona

Wednesday, January 1

MEP (Maximum Enforcement Period) – CHP Southern Division

Burglary prevention tips for the Holiday Season

Community: Burglary prevention tips for the Holiday Season Burglary prevention tips for the Holiday Season • Take the time to trim back any bushes or trees that block visibility through your house. Check all of the entryways into your home (windows and doors) to make sure that they are locked and secure. Secure any sliding glass doors with a lock and a dowel in the door track. • If your home is equipped with an alarm system, make sure that you and your family are using it. Studies show that alarm systems and visible advertisements (stickers, lawn signs) are some of the best deterrents against burglars. • If leaving your home for several hours find ways to make your house look occupied by placing interior and exterior lights on timers or leaving on a radio or T.V. • Exterior holiday lights do more than make your house look festive: they also light up the areas around windows and doors where burglars may lurk. • Retain the receipts for all major purchases in a safe place. If possible, record the serial number of the property on the corresponding receipt or in another list for safekeeping. In the event that these items do get stolen, this record will maintain proof of the purchase and aid police in tracking down the stolen item. • Be cautious about solicitors, especially during this time of year. A stop at your doorway may provide them the chance to scope the inside of your house for valuable items and map the layout for a later return. • If ordering items to be delivered to the house, schedule them to be delivered at time when you will be home and able to accept the package. Large packages left on doorsteps are susceptible to thieves passing through the neighborhood. • Many people love to display a brightly-lit Christmas tree with gifts around the base. If visible through a window or doorway, this can be tempting for burglars scouting the neighborhood. Reconsider hiding the gifts in a secure place and placing them under the tree at the last minute. • Don't announce your new high-dollar purchases after the holidays. Break down the boxes of TVs, stereos, computers, etc. to fit inside of your trashcan. If possible, stagger the times that these boxes are placed in the trash. • Don't advertise any trips away from your home or travel plans on online social networking sites. Broadcasting your absences let people know that your house is unoccupied and vulnerable. Make sure that your children are doing the same and that they are careful about discussing travel plans with friends.