Abu Dhabi: The Abu Dhabi Police have arrested two Asian visitors with 36 fake credit cards at Abu Dhabi International Airport.
The suspects allegedly faked balance credits on the cards to buy expensive items at the airport duty free shops, said a statement issued by the police yesterday.
The Organised Crime Section received a tip-off that two Asians carrying fake credit cards would be trying to board a flight from the airport, Colonel Khalid Ahmad Al Hammadi, Director of CID said.
The police immediately took action and coordinated with Abu Dhabi Airport security authorities to arrest them, he said.
As soon as they entered the airport, they were thoroughly searched and 18 forged credit cards were recovered from them, said Col. Al Hammadi. He added that one was also carrying three expensive watches allegedly bought with one of the fake credit cards.
The credit card number was allegedly stolen from another duty free before their visit to Abu Dhabi.
According to Lieutenant Colonel Dr. Rashid Mohammad Bu Rasheed, Head of the police Organised Crime Section, the suspects are T.Sh., 32, and L.S., 31.
The amounts on those cards were not big, but they were enough to buy expensive items, it was found.
Police say both suspects admitted to the crime and their intention to buy expensive items at the duty free shops in Abu Dhabi International Airport. Upon returning to their country they planned to throw the cards away.
One of them apparently claimed he had bought the cards on the black market abroad for Dh10,800. The other one also said the same.
Interpol
The Interpol office at the Ministry of Interior was approached to contact the authorities concerned in their country to take necessary legal action.
Further investigations are under way.
The Head of the Organised Crime Section urged businessmen and the public to report the loss of their credit cards or when they fall victim to fraudulent acts.
Quick action is essential in arresting the criminals, he added.
Penal Federal law No. (3) of 1987 stipulates the punishment for forging official documents is three to ten years' imprisonment and if it is unofficial documents the punishment is one month to three years.
Forging government stamps results in imprisonment of three to 15 years, he added, and urged the public to be very vigilant about such crimes.
