A fraudster who placed skimming devices on ticket machines at Tube stations has been jailed.

Alexandru Munteanu, 26, of High Road, Leytonstone, used a device incoporating a pin-hole camera and a card reader at Epping, Buckhurst Hill, Loughton, Theydon Bois and West Ham stations.

Police were called to Epping Tube station after a device was found.

Plain clothes officers monitored the machine until Munteanu returned and he was arrested.

Speaking after Munteanu was jailed for two-and-a-half years, PC Mark Pink, said: "Alexandru Munteanu is a prolific offender who left the country after his crime spree before returning two months later and committing further offences.

“His luck ran out when officers identified him on CCTV committing the crimes at the Tube stations and a forensic examination of a device matched his DNA.

“Skimming devices can be difficult to spot as they are designed to look like part of the machine. 

Always remember to shield your pin from any potentially concealed camera and don’t use an ATM when people are loitering.”