Suspected card-cloning gang dismantled in Malaga

AN ALLEGED criminal organisation has been dismantled by National Police in Malaga in connection with fraud scheme that cloned cards from 80 different victims.

So far, eight people have been arrested, including the suspected leader of the organisation.

Police believe the detainees created a shell company to justify purchases of up to €85,000 carried out using cloned cards.

The investigation began when the authorities noticed suspicious movements on a bank account of this newly created business, which was supposed to be dedicated to vehicle transfer services. However, the police discovered that none of the cars existed.

Most of the cards cloned belonged to British citizens and other foreigners.

Arrests have been made in Mijas, Fuengirola, Campillos and Marbella. Other detainees have been taken into custody in Benidorm (Alicante) and Mahon (Menorca).

Officers confiscated a total of 21 cars that were allegedly obtained using this method, 14 cards ready to be cloned, equipment used to clone cards, five computers and several mobile phones.

The investigation remains open.