VIDEO: Jailed Romanian hacker invented ATM anti-fraud device called SRS

33-year-old Valentin Boanta who is being detained in a prison from Vaslui, Romania, after he was convicted on charges of bank card fraud, invented a device that he says could protect any ATM against skimming attempts (scroll down for video).

SRS anti-skimming scheme

Romanian hacker placed in Vaslui jail invented SRS, a bank machine anti-skimming device (Youtube)

Boanta has served so far six months of his five years prison term, and was sent behind bars because he provided an organized crime gang with various gadgets used to mask the card data copying equipment (skimmers) the gang mounted on the ATMs.

The inmate revealed that he began creating such gadgets of pure pleasure and denied it ever intended to use them himself, saying he only sold them to others.

Boanta said that his 2009 arrest and the trial that followed caused him conscious remorse as he realized the negative impact of his actions, therefore he felt the need to repair his mistakes.

“When I was captured, I was extremely happy as I could work on the right side,” he said.
“The crime was like a drug to me. After being caught, I was very happy because I got rid of the adrenaline addiction. Thus, the other side of my personality started to develop security solutions which now have begun to emerge”.

Valentin Boanta, a former student of industrial engineering, has worked on the current device since his arrest and today he presented his invention in a Vaslui prison cell which he shares with five pickpockets and burglars.

Hacker Valentin Boanta explains the mechanism behind his anti-skimming device (REUTERS/Bogdan Cristel)

Hacker Valentin Boanta explains the mechanism behind his anti-skimming device (REUTERS/Bogdan Cristel)

“All ATMs feature an old fashioned construction, so they are prone to vulnerabilities. Cash machines are nowadays the very poor side of the banking industry. Any ATM can be penetrated by a skimming attack but my security solution make them unbreakable,” he said.
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Boanta’s device, dubbed “Secure Revolving System – SRS”, can be installed in any ATM and uses mechanical rather than digital security. SRS allows the insertion of the bank card into the slot long side first, then rotates it 90 degrees to prevent data copying equipment to access the information on the magnetic strip and then the system delivers the card back to its owner through a reverse rotation.

The new ATM security device looks like a trapezoidal metal box, about 15 centimeter long, with card slot in the middle.

“Secure Revolving System-SRS”, financed and developed by Romanian company MB Telecom, is patented and won an award this year at the 41st International Exhibition of Inventions in Geneva. The inventor and the development company have not revealed yet any information on its cost, but say it will be available soon.

“Valentin deserves such a recognition,” said SRS co-inventor and president of MB Telecom, Mircea Tudor. “His invention will certainly improve Romania’s image in the world and definitely he will join our team when he is set to be released from jail,” added Mircea Tudor about Valentin Boanta.

Video: Anti-skimming device SRS developed by imprisoned Romanian hacker

1 Response

  1. June 6, 2013

    […] „Valentin Boanta merita aceasta recunoastere, pentru ca este unul dintre cei care pune umarul la imbunatatirea imaginii Romaniei peste hotare si mai mult ca sigur va face parte din echipa noastra atunci cand va fi eliberat”, spune Mircea Tudor, co-inventator al sistemului de securitare si presedinte al MB Telecom. […]

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