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Saturday, January 17, 2009

Police bid to 'Nick' credit card ringleader - goldcoast.com.au - 13 Jan 09

THE ringleader believed to be at the helm of a major Malaysian fraud syndicate, which has potentially fleeced Queensland credit card holders of more than $1 million, is still on the loose.

Three people allegedly recruited into the syndicate, Cheo Pow Fong, Siew Ching Liew and Teck Sin Lai, faced Southport Magistrates Court yesterday charged with a string of fraud-related offences after they were arrested on the Gold Coast last week.

Police allege the trio were involved in the making counterfeit credit cards and identification cards and using them to buy goods.

They were arrested after Ms Liew, 34 and Mr Fong, 37, who are both in the country illegally, tried to buy an expensive handbag at the Louis Vuitton store in Surfers Paradise on January 7 but their credit cards were knocked back.

The court was told police raided their Southport home and found a printer, scanner, embossing machine, laminating machine, fake credit cards and identification cards and a list of credit card numbers.

Police prosecutor Sergeant Greg Overton said the police investigation was ongoing but that the evidence collected so far was strong.

Sgt Overton said the ringleader known only as 'Nick' was still at large but police believed he was recruiting Malaysian nationals to Australia specifically to take part in the scam.

Ms Liew and Mr Fong did not apply for bail yesterday and were remanded in custody until January 27.

Magistrate Brian Kucks agreed that Mr Lai was a flight risk and also remanded him in custody

By Melanie Pilling

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