The Dedicated Card and Payment Crime Unit (DCPCU) and Police Scotland announced that the two U.K. agencies issued warrants through the second round of Retail Week of Action. Working closely with Visa, Europol, banks, card companies and specific retailers, officials identified the suspects through Project Skynet, which focuses on cyberthreats related to remote payments.
Project Skynet launched in Jan. 2015 and is 90 percent funded by the European Commission. The remote purchase fraud activity includes when the merchant, retailer or other service provider does not have physical access to the payment card.
Officers seized false identification documents, cash, electronic goods, luxury goods and homeware relating to the fraudulent activity. A Mercedes suspected of being purchased by criminal proceeds was also seized from one of the addresses.
“These results highlight the positive impact of collaborative working between law enforcement and the private sector in targeting individuals suspected of carrying out remote purchase fraud,” said Detective Chief Inspector Kerrie Gower, head of the DCPCU.
Representatives from Visa said they are grateful to be part of the initiative working with authorities to eventually seize items and help with the arrests.
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Peter Bayley, chief risk officer of Visa Europe, said: “The Retail Week of Action is another example of what can be achieved when financial institutions, merchants and law enforcement join together to tackle a common problem.”
Project Skynet had its first Retail Week of Action earlier this year.
