Raducu Beta, 24, dropped out of his law course in his homeland and came to Britain to look for work.

After losing his job washing cars, he joined the gang which placed “skimmers” at stations from Colliers Wood to Theydon Bois and Rickmansworth.

The electronic devices “skim” the card’s details when the owner is using it in a transaction and can hold hundreds of numbers, the court heard.

Beta admitted 11 counts of possessing card skimmers at stations including East Putney, Snaresbrook, Hainault, Colliers Wood and Eastcote.

Westminster Magistrates’ Court heard that another Romanian was recently jailed for two and a half years and deported for his involvement in the fraud.

Beta also admitted a further charge of handling stolen goods after he was arrested with a stolen debit card and an Apple Iphone 5 worth £600.

Romanian law school dropout joined Tube ticket machine ‘skimming’ gang