A Romanian card-skimming gang disguised themselves in workmen's clothing and wigs while withdrawing half a million dollars from Melbourne ATMs, a court has heard.
Police have opposed a bail application by the man they allege was the boss of the gang, 57-year-old Dan Schneider, arguing he could flee the country if released.
The Melbourne Magistrates' Court heard the gang fixed devices to various ATMs in Melbourne and surrounding suburbs before withdrawing a total of $500,000 cash between March and June this year.
Schneider's 19-year-old son, also named Dan, is accused of creating clone cards in his bedroom but the teenager has left Australia and his whereabouts are unknown, the court heard.
Detective Senior Constable Peter Jessup said police busted Schneider's son and another man, 47-year-old Gheorghe Oltean, after they withdrew about $13,000 cash using cloned cards at a Malvern ATM in June, wearing wigs, fluoro tops and construction hard hats.
"(Oltean) states Schneider Snr was the leader," he told the court on Thursday.
Det Sen Const Jessup told the court there was CCTV footage which identified the suspects despite their disguises, which also included blue overalls.
He said police believed Schneider had access to fake ID, which he could use to flee the country.
But lawyer Rob Melasecca said Schneider had a different legitimate birth name of "Hailu" on his passport, and the detective agreed.
"In fact, the only time he's ever left this country is under his birth name," Mr Melasecca told the court.
Mr Melasecca said while Oltean told police Schneider was the leader, he did not confirm it in a statement.
He pointed out Schneider had not tried to leave the country with his son.
The court heard Schneider has lived in Australia for more than 30 years.
The Beaconsfield man is charged with two counts of conspiracy to defraud and one count of conspiracy to use identification information.
The bail application will resume on September 16, after the defence has spoken to the immigration department.
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