Bulgarian nationals plead guilty to ATM scam charges in Fiji

Three Bulgarian nationals, who were involved in an alleged ATM Scam in Fiji, have pleaded guilty to charges laid against them.

Simeon Stefanov Minchev, Veliko Zhelev Velikov and Plamen Dimitrov Petrov appeared at the Lautoka Magistrates Court Monday.

The alleged incidents occurred at ATM machines between Lautoka to Nadi around the 09 -12 last month.

The first accused Simeon Stefanov Minchev has been further charged with a separate count for the offence of unauthorised access to Restricted Data for using a skimming device at the Bred Bank in Lautoka.

The 2nd and 3rd accused Veliko Zhelev Velikov and Plamen Dimitrov Petrov have been charged with an extra count for the offence of attempt to unauthorised access to restricted data at the Bred Bank in Namaka and installing a camera at the Westpac Namaka Branch.

It was also revealed in court by the Police Prosecutor that the skimming device used was confiscated from them.

Defence Lawyer Mark Anthony informed the court they will be submitting their mitigating factors on Thursday.

The three have been remanded in custody to reappear in court on Thursday