The Sharjah Police have arrested a man and a woman for possessing more than 50 fake credit cards. The two were allegedly trying to use the fake cards to withdraw huge amounts of money. This is so far the biggest haul of fake creidt cards in the UAE.
The arrest came after police received a tip-off that a 46-year old Arab woman was in possession of a several counterfeit cards.
She was reported to be on the prowl for a supermarket or shop to use these cards for withdrawing money, promising to give 35 per cent of the sum to the shop owner for overlooking the card irregularities.
A team from Economic Crime Unit of Sharjah Police was assigned to trail the woman and foil attempts to withdraw cash.
While following the woman, investigators found there was another person involved in the scam - a 29-year-old Arab man who tried to lure the owner of a money exchange to allow him withdraw cash. The latter refused.
The police prepared a trap in cooperation with the owner of the money exchange. Afterwards, it was found that the man and the woman were working in tandem and both had entered the UAE on visit visas.
The police raided their residence and found four fake credit cards with the woman and 51 cards with the man. They were arrested and reportedly confessed to the crime.
They have been remanded pending trial. This is not the first time credit card fraudsters have been caught by the long arm of the law in UAE.
In August last year, a man who purchased goods illegally by using four stolen credit cards was given two years in jail followed by deportation. His friend was also referred to the Court of Misdemeanours on charges of possessing and attempting to use 18 more illegal credit cards.
Most credit card companies in the UAE have adopted the 'Three Domains Secure' technology since April last year to secure card transactions, specially those done online, and ensure customer safety.
Gulf News
