Stolen credit card network dismantled

Over 12 arrested accused of obtaining over €300,000 for stolen card

NATIONAL police have cracked a stolen credit card network following the arrest of 12 gang members throughout the Costa Blanca.

The criminal gang, formed by Spanish, Algerian and Cameroon nationals are accused of stealing over €300,000 from the accounts of stolen credit card holders to purchase products on internet before they were reported stolen or cancelled.

The three-tier organisation was formed by a first level of gang leaders who obtained the card numbers and made online purchases. A second tier was formed by their partners and family members who received the goods at their homes or shops and finally a third tier was formed by other people who resold the products in AlThe geria and Cameroon.

Several delivery company staff are said to have been accomplices of the gang.

Products purchased mainly included electronic goods, but also perfumes, clothes, foodstuff, furniture and even a wellknown brand of coffee capsules.

goods purchased where also sold via online secondhand portals abroad.

The network even 'invested' some of its earnings in bitcoins.

The police operation launched to finally dismantle the gang involved over 70 officers who made home searches and arrests in Alicante, Elche, Novelda, San Vicente del Raspeig and Muchamiel. Officers confiscated €12,000 in cash, a large number of goods packed to ship out, documentation and clones credit cards.

The detainees, aged 24 to 46, were placed under judicial care.

Following a preliminary hearing, three of them have been remanded in prison pending trial and the remaining nine released on charges.