EL MONTE, Calif. -- Law enforcement authorities are searching for whoever skimmed debit card information from at least 45 customers at an Arco station in El Monte, netting up to $10,000 in ill-gotten gains.

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A computerized device apparently was used to lift key information, including debit card identification numbers, concealed in the card's magnetic strip, investigators told the San Gabriel Valley Tribune.

"It looks like the victims were gassing up here and using the outside pump terminals, and their credit card information was compromised," El Monte police Detective Brian Glick said.

Police don't believe it was an inside job but that the fraud artists picked the station in the 4300 block North Santa Anita Avenue because of its high customer volume.

Fraudulent withdrawals, ranging from $400 to $1,500 per customer, were made in Las Vegas, Palms Springs and New York, police said.

Investigator Victor Hernandez told the San Gabriel Valley Tribune there could be as many as 100 victims.