Clearwater, Fla. – Police have arrested Brandon E.A. Castillo (24) and Andrew J. Llactas Jimenez (19), accusing them of running a sophisticated ATM scam that targeted unsuspecting customers at a local Wells Fargo Bank.
The arrests came Saturday after a customer at the bank’s 2301 Sunset Point Road location noticed suspicious behavior and called police. Officers responded quickly and detained both suspects after brief foot chases.
According to Clearwater Police, the scam involved jamming the ATM card slot with quarters so customers could not insert their cards. As victims grew frustrated, the suspects posed as helpful “good Samaritans,” advising them to use the card’s tap function instead.
During the distraction, the suspects allegedly swapped the victim’s real debit card with a stolen one while memorizing the entered PIN. They then used the stolen cards at other ATMs to make unauthorized cash withdrawals.
Both Castillo and Llactas Jimenez face two counts of scheming to defraud and one count of criminal mischief, while Llactas Jimenez also faces a resisting arrest charge. They are currently booked in the Pinellas County Jail.
Detectives have identified at least four victims from the Clearwater location and suspect the scam may be part of a larger statewide operation affecting other banks in Pinellas County and across Florida.
Authorities are urging the public to exercise caution when using ATMs. Police advise customers to avoid assistance from strangers, shield their PIN entry, and immediately report anyone loitering near ATM machines.
