Substantial withdrawals from an ATM at a bank’s Msida branch raised the authorities' suspicions, leading to the arrest of a Romanian national.

At least €10,000 are believed to have been withdrawn by means of a number of bank cards which appear to have been cloned.

It is understood that the police have CCTV footage which show the suspect effecting the withdrawals.

Prepelita Petrisor, 42, of Timisoara in Romania, told the court on Monday that he worked as a tourist agent back home, pleaded not guilty to promoting an organisation of two or more persons with a view to commit criminal offences, criminal conspiracy, possession of items which could be used for fraud, fraud exceeding €5000 and of knowingly making use of false documents.

The man was also accused of unauthorised possession of data, software or supporting documentation.

Although the man pleaded not guilty, no request for bail was made at this stage, even in view of the fact that the arrested person had no fixed address in Malta.

The court, presided over by Magistrate Josette Demicoli, remanded the man in custody and dispatched the records of the case to the court registrar to be assigned to another magistrate accordingly.

Inspector Matthew Vella prosecuted and lawyer Christopher Chircop was legal aid counsel.