Police raid internet cafes selling cheap phone cards

Ras Al Khaimah: Police on Monday raided several internet cafes and seized large numbers of illegal calling cards used to make inexpensive phone calls.

The cafes had been selling the cards to make international calls via the internet.

Users got a PIN on the calling cards, which they then entered on the internet to make calls.

Etisalat traced the use of these cards in the emirate and where the low-cost international calls were being made from.

A senior officer at the emirate's police force said some internet cafes were raided after police received a tip-off that they were selling illegal calling cards.

He added the calling cards were very popular in Asian communities. Call-ers were able to easily make clear international calls with the cards.

The officer added the cases of the violating internet cafes were referred to the emirate's Public Prosecution for investigation and to press charges.

He said a technical report on abuses by the internet cafes was included in the docket and added police would keep a close watch on internet cafes.