Andorra Police Probe Fake Firm Cloning Bank Cards

Police in Andorra are investigating a fake company suspected of using advanced technology to clone bank cards, leading to unauthorised purchases by multiple victims including tourists and residents.

Several people have reported fraudulent charges on their credit or debit cards in recent days. Among them is a Spanish visitor who discovered his Platinum card had been cloned while trying to make a transaction in Andorra. Unable to proceed, he returned to his home city to resolve the issue. The newspaper has confirmed at least four cases, with similar problems affecting local residents.

One resident, a woman, noticed a 600-euro internet purchase she had not authorised. After filing a police report, she contacted her bank's insurance provider, which informed her that online transactions were not covered.

Investigators believe the operation involves a bogus foreign investment firm registered under false pretences, possibly operating from a low-cost coworking space. They suspect it uses multiple point-of-sale (POS) terminals from legitimate businesses to duplicate card data onto blank plastics, enabling quick purchases or cash withdrawals before victims detect the activity and block their cards.

The cloning process copies a card's information for use on another physical card. Charges appear only for transactions the holder did not make.

While police have not ruled out cloning occurring in Spain, the involvement of Andorran residents makes a local base more likely. The probe continues as authorities trace the fraudulent entity. Victims are advised to monitor accounts closely and report issues promptly.