PICS: Photos of items seized in sophisticated ATM scam have been released by Gardaí

Two men have been arrested.

A number of photos of items seized by Gardaí following the arrest of two men in Dublin on Friday morning have been released by An Garda Síochána. The two males – who are being detained in Newbridge and Kildare Garda stations – were arrested in Blanchardstown in connection with the use of a skimming device on a bank ATM in Kildare town on Thursday. Both men are believed to be in their 30s. At the scene of the arrests, ATM skimming devices and credit cards were recovered. Following a series of investigations and searches, a number of items were seized from the men – including wallets and credit cards. Gardaí have shared images of them online. It's understood that the men involved form part of an Eastern European criminal organisation. The arrests – made by Kildare Gardai and supported by the Garda National Economic Crime Bureau – are seen as a significant development in this case which involved the targeting of eight different bank branches in Dublin, Kildare and Meath. A major Irish financial institution also aided the search in an attempt to intercept the criminals involved. "Gardai are working on a daily basis with the financial institutions to prevent fraud," Detective Chief Superintendent Patrick Lordan of Garda National Economic Crime Bureau said on Friday. "I would again like to stress the importance of being vigilant in all your financial dealings. Pay particular attention to suspicious activity or unusual items in the vicinity of ATMs.” Investigations are ongoing.