Police make Gold Coast credit card fraud arrests

The Gold Coast is safe from a little more credit card fraud following a number of arrests by local police, reports goldcoast.com.au.

Six people were arrested in order after fraudulent credit cards were used to try to purchase electronic goods, including an mp3 player, in Mermaid Beach.

Detectives advise shopkeepers to remain vigilant of anybody making a purchase in a large group or who appears to have multiple credit cards with them.

The six arrested are said to be of Malaysian origin and follow up to 20 previous arrests for similar offences.

Individuals accused are now facing a string of offences such as fraud, attempted fraud, possession of tainted property, impersonation, dishonestly obtaining property and obtaining and dealing with identity information.

Recent figures from the Australian Payments Clearing Association indicate that credit card fraud is on the increase nationwide.

Australian IT reported that combined credit card fraud rose 48.4 per cent over the past year to reach more than $230 million.