October 19, 2009
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News: Malaysian Ring Connected to India CC Fraud
A criminal ring of waiters took advantage of unsuspecting businesses to gain access to thousands of their customers' debit and credit card account information. The Tamil Nadu, India government uncovered the ring when they arrested and interrogated a man for suspected card fraud. The suspect, who was arrested by the Bank Fraud and Credit Card wing of the Central Crime Branch (CCB) in Chennai admitted to purchasing a fake passport and four fake credit cards from an individual in Malaysia. The suspect was told by the Malaysian man to only use the cards in Chennai. Chennai police believe the Malaysian man is connected to organized crime in Malaysia. According to an internet source, the CCB say the suspect has a previous connective to counterfeit credit card fraud.
The card criminals in Malaysia gained the confidence of individuals like waiters who worked in the entertainment sector including hotels and restaurants. The waiters skimmed the debit and credit card information from the cards magnetic strips when the customers would hand them the card to pay their bill. The information was then forwarded to the Malaysian ring who a fee. The Malaysian operation produced the counterfeit debit and credit cards and then forwarded them to other individuals who used them to rack up thousands of dollars.
According to the Chennai, during the past years over 19 cases of credit card fraud has been investigated. Seven of the cases have been linked to the organized crime operations in Malaysia. Chennai police have not yet been able to crack the ring in Malaysia, but are confident they are responsible for the counterfeit cards that are circulating in Chennai. Several organizations are involved with the ongoing investigation including the Malaysian Deputy Inspector-General's office. Also arrested in connection with the case were K. Shanawaz and Shanmuga Balaji for purchasing LCD TV's with the fake cards and then reselling them.