Stop the terror clones

Cops track credit card fraudsters

DANGER: Card cloning

By Jamie Lyons, 25/01/2009

POLICE are closing in on terror bosses who bribe shop workers to pinch credit card details so they can steal cash to fund their vile outrages.

Garage attendants, waiters and newsagents are paid hundreds to pass on card details or clone them.

Groups like al-Qaeda and the Tamil Tigers then empty the bank accounts and use the money to run terror cells.

Fraud expert John Lyons said: "Terrorists are raising millions through identity theft."

Officers in 'Operation Trammel' now monitor suspects to see if their lifestyles reflect the amount of cash they are believed to have stolen or if they are passing it on.

A Metropolitan Police spokesman said: "Operation Trammel is a pro-active nationwide police operation to detect, disrupt and deter individuals who provide financial support to international terrorists by committing cheque and credit card fraud."

The Tamil Tigers-responsible for attacks in Sri Lanka-were believed to have organised a credit card sting involving up to 200 UK petrol stations in 2007.

And cops are probing a fraud which saw devices placed in chip and pin readers in 40 UK supermarkets. The devices transmitted card details by wireless technology to Pakistan.

Mr Lyons, of Business Risk Innovations, said: "These are well-organised criminal enterprises. Some of these groups have entire families with 10 or 20 people working for them."

Tory MP Patrick Mercer, who advised Gordon Brown on fighting terrorism, said: "Our enemies are using these methods more and more frequently."

Your comments

This article has 8 comments

It's simple to prevent crooks using cloned credit cards to make cash withdrawals.

Bin your PIN and continue to sign.

You are responsible for your PIN or PINS, and where fraud does occur on a credit card where a PIN has been used, first thing a card issuer asks is how did they obtain your PIN? You've no idea so your card issuer holds you liable for the loss.

NO PIN equals NO LIABILITY, equals NO CASH WITHDRAWALS at ATMs either by your or crooks at home or abroad.

By James. Posted January 27 2009 at 6:07 PM.

This is completely ridiculous. The Tamil Tigers do not do anything as cheap as this. They collect money from people willing to pay. Please do not say things if you do not know that it is 100% true, & stop listening to what other people say and you might just get the truth one day.

By Pavi Vemal. Posted January 26 2009 at 5:05 PM.

i work in a petrol site and remember my manager caught a guy who tried to use a stolen card.. and when u say it is al-quaeda and Tamil Tigers. u should be aware that the guy who brought that card was an white origin.

By John. Posted January 26 2009 at 11:23 AM.

Sadly these guys do not distinguish between people of any colour. They want to commit fraud against anyone who happens to genuinely use their premises to buy something. Obviously IF they are in the country on some untrue pretext , they shold be sent back straight away, saving the tax payer having to look after them in our pulsh jails/prisons.

By Arvin. Posted January 25 2009 at 6:59 PM.

I agree that people are scared to comment incase they are branded racist , but that should not be the case as we cant help the colour of skin or ethnic background of people commiting these crimes that is not the issue ...its the crime thats the issue !! I am surprised so much crime is committed by so called religous people they are quick to quote their faith & even quicker to commit the crime :(

By Scott. Posted January 25 2009 at 5:35 PM.

basically were to scared to say anything in case we get called racist?this racist loopphole has got to stop before we can deal with all whats going on.

By colin jones . Posted January 25 2009 at 9:55 AM.

easy answer- instantly deport them.as they have no right to be here.they are all hangers on from abroad so why are they here?

By david knox . Posted January 25 2009 at 8:53 AM.

ITS ABOUT TIME THESE PEOPLE WERE CAUGHT OUR BANK ACCOUNT WAS EMPTIED AT CHRISTMAS BUT THEN WHAT WILL THE LAW DO WHEN THEY CATCH UP WITH THEM A QUICK SLAP ON THE WRISTS THE LAW IN THIS COUNTRY LETS YOU GET AWAY WITH MURDER

By TRACY. Posted January 25 2009 at 8:39 AM.

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