NORTHERN Beaches detectives are investigating whether an international organised crime gang are using stolen and counterfeit credit cards to rip off supermarkets and major department stores on the peninsula.
Police are examining a number of incidents where gift cards worth thousands of dollars have been bought from northern beaches stores with stolen and fake credit cards over the past few months.
In one case, three different credit cards were used to purchase more than $2000 worth of major department store gift cards at Warriewood and Manly Vale in June.
Northern Beaches crime manager Det Insp Dave Walton said police were investigating whether the counterfeit cards were produced overseas.
"Police are investigating links to an organised crime group committing credit card fraud through the use of stolen or counterfeit credit cards manufactured overseas," Det Insp Walton said.
"It is alleged the stolen and counterfeit credit cards are being used to purchase the gift cards from major department stores on the northern beaches."
A 37-year-old man from Hong Kong was arrested at Manly Vale about 3.30pm on Wednesday.
Police will allege the man used counterfeit credit cards to purchase $800 in gift cards from a major supermarket in Manly and then attempted to purchase $800 in gift cards from a major supermarket at Manly Vale.
It is alleged the man was held by supermarket staff and arrested by police.
He was charged with fraud offences including four counts of making and using false instruments and goods in custody in relation to possession of cash reasonably suspected of being proceeds of crime.
By Kelly Robinson
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