POLICE ARE probing the possibility that a criminal gang of east European origin may be behind bank card cloning in Tayside, The Courier understands.

At least four unsuspecting people had their card cloned after withdrawing money from the ATM at the Asda Kirkton store in Dundee between June 26 and June 30.

The details were used by fraudsters to withdraw hundreds of pounds from their accounts.

Asda in Dunkeld Road, Perth, was also targeted by crooks with card skimming technology on Wednesday.

People who used either ATM are being urged to check their bank statements to make sure they have not been caught up in the scam.

Detective Inspector Kevin McMahon, of Tayside Police, said, “Anybody who has used their card at the machine should check their account to make sure there is no unusual activity.

“So far we know of four people whose card appears to have been cloned and hundreds of pounds withdrawn.

“We haven’t recovered any device but it would appear the customers have been targeted by card cloning criminals.”

It is not known if the Perth incident is linked to the Dundee ones, he said, but inquiries are continuing.

It is understood one line of the inquiry is that a travelling gang of east European origin operating UK-wide may be involved in some of the cases in Tayside.