POLICE have arrested three men in connection with a credit card fraud that has been sweeping the city.
An extensive investigation into the scam was launched after police received 42 complaints from the public about dodgy transactions appearing on their statements.
MMostMost of the victims had never visited the countries where the transactions took pl
ace.
Money had gone from unsuspecting victim's accounts and payments had been made from all over the world, including right across Europe and as far away as Malaysia.
Money had gone from unsuspecting victim's accounts and payments had been made from all over the world, including right across Europe and as far away as Malaysia.
Officers noticed all the victims had used their cards in the Texaco garage, Eastern Road, Portsmouth.
It is thought a card-skimming scam may have been in operation, where fraudsters tamper with credit card machines to copy card details. They then use these to make fake transactions and payments.
At 8am today officers from Fratton CID arrested three men, all from Portsmouth, aged 30, 37 and 39.
They are being held in custody in Portsmouth on suspicion of conspiracy to commit theft.
Detective Constable Jon Knox said: 'There is an ongoing investigation into irregular transactions on people's credit cards. There was a large operation this morning and as a result three people have been arrested.
'The proprietor of the Texaco has been fully co-operative.
'He had aided police in this investigation and he is not a suspect,' he said.
Anyone with information about the fraud is asked to call police on 0845 045 4545.
