Saturday 11 December 2010:
Abu Dhabi Police arrests two tourists using 22 fake credit cards
ADP has arrested two tourists of Turkish nationality using 22 fake credit cards for shopping, after ten hours from entering the country. They have been arrested while trying to buy a valuable watch from a shopping mall in Abu Dhabi.
Colonel (Dr.) Rashid Mohammad Bu Rasheed, Head of Organized Crime Section of ADP Criminal Investigation Department (CID), said "The duo entered the country through one of the airports with tourist visas from their home land. They moved to a famous shopping mall in Abu Dhabi, to buy valuable goods with use of fake credit cards containing balances stolen from all over the world".
"They targeted a famous jewellery shop to carry out their first illegal transaction. They were arrested by one of (Q7) patrol after they received a report about the culprits and their descriptions, while they were running away", added Bu Rasheed.
The first suspect identified as (A. S., 29) and his accomplice, identified as (D. Y., 32), told one of the shop staff that he would like to buy a watch worth Dh25,600, and would pay by credit card. The lady behind the counter suspected the authenticity of the credit card before swiping it. She alerted the police immediately, added Bu Rasheed.
When they felt that their plan was discovered by the "Honest" seller, and she tried to prolong their stay in the shop until the police arrival by talking to them about items displayed in the shop and she asked for another credit card to process the transaction. They ran away from the shop but the police patrol arrested them and found with them 22 fake credit cards containing enough balances to buy different valuable goods, added Bu Rasheed.
During interrogation, they revealed that they entered the country ten hours before their arrest. They planed to buy large number of valuable items by the fake credit cards they possess, and leave the country soon after finishing their shopping spree, including jewellery, watches and perfumes, claiming that they had to repay bank loans in their country. They were referred to the Public Prosecution. They were accused of forging official documents, using fake credit cards and getting items in an illegal way.
ADP Head of Organized Crime Section urged shops and stores owners and staff should take necessary precautionary measures when selling products through credit cards, such ensuring the identity of individual, comparing signatures, etc so as not to fall victims to fraud activities.
He also urged the public members to report any theft or missing of their credit cards immediately, as time is an important factor in chasing and nabbing criminals. They should call the Police Operations Room number "999" if they suspected a fake credit card. There is a black market for selling and circulation the information of credit cards abroad. Therefore, people should be very careful to safeguard their credit cards specially when using them in their shopping and other transactions. They should keep themselves updated in this regard and always coordinate with police.
