Douglas Da Silva Rangel, 32, pleaded guilty in the Brisbane District Court on Wednesday to identity theft, fraud, money laundering, stealing and possessing tainted property after he arrived in Australia in 2018.

All told, Da Silva Rangel stole $77,256.00 by skimming bank cards, creating clones of customers’ cards and stealing their PINs using cameras placed on the ATMs.

Prosecutor Hamish McIntyre said Da Silva Rangel’s conduct was organised and sophisticated.

“He doesn’t appear to be beholden to anyone else and was operating purely to profit himself,” he said.

Most of his 520 illegal transactions happened in inner-city suburbs, such as New Farm and Newstead.

Da Silva Rangel purchased a BMW car with the stolen money and sent tens of thousands of dollars overseas.

“It seems likely the defendant will have the benefit of at least some of that money (once he is released),” Mr McIntyre said.

After he was caught, police found five skimming devices, hundreds of blank magnetic strips cards ready for use as clones, tiny cameras, and a card reader.

Despite this, Da Silva Rangel was released on bail, whereupon he recommenced his card skimming operation.

Da Silva Rangel’s lawyer Isaac Munsie told the court his client had been unable to work during this time following media coverage of his earlier offences.

He said Da Silva Rangel had attempted to have the Department of Home Affairs place him in immigration detention but it refused and, instead, granted him another visa to remain in the community.

“My client fully informed the department of the charges he was facing and the fact he couldn’t get employment given the fact the matter was publicised,” he said.

“He had no money … (but) extraordinarily they refused to do so.

“That doesn’t excuse what he ultimately did but it goes to explain what happened.

“He should have possibly reached out to charitable services.”

Mr Munsie said much of the money sent overseas was to support his child in Italy and to help a former partner in Brazil, who had suffered a brain injury.

In sentencing, Judge Julie Ryrie said Da Silva Rangel had stolen money from people who were entitled to think their savings in their banks were safe.

Schemes like this caused considerable stress and inconvenience when fraudulent transactions were identified, she said.

“It’s a burden upon everybody and for honest account holders,” she said

“Offences of this type are expensive … and means everybody has to suffer the consequences of getting higher fees and charges.”

Judge Ryrie sentenced Da Silva Rangel to three-and-a-half years’ imprisonment, to be suspended after 12 months.

He is likely to be deported upon release.