Identity fraud targets foreign students in Stockholm
TT/The Local - [email protected]
Published: 27 Oct, 2008 CET.
Updated: Mon 27 Oct 2008 07:41 CET
A Stockholm-area gang numbering around 30 people is suspected of having made off with over one million kronor ($125,000) by stealing people’s identities, with foreign students being the preferred target.
The fraudsters are said to have acquired credit cards using the names of foreign students and then using the cards to purchase electronic equipment over the internet.
According to the Metro newspaper, the gang has also used the scheme to obtain mobile phone subscriptions, purchase clothes on credit, and take out loans from a bank.
The fraud is said to be sophisticated and has been under investigation for several months.
Officials expect the amount of money involved to grow.
“Every time we turn over a stone, we find something new,” said prosecutor Carl Asterius to the newspaper.
Police suspect the ringleader is a 29-year-old resident of the Stockholm suburb of Huddinge.
According to Asterius, charges could be filed just after the new year.
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The fraudsters are said to have acquired credit cards using the names of foreign students and then using the cards to purchase electronic equipment over the internet.
According to the Metro newspaper, the gang has also used the scheme to obtain mobile phone subscriptions, purchase clothes on credit, and take out loans from a bank.
The fraud is said to be sophisticated and has been under investigation for several months.
Officials expect the amount of money involved to grow.
“Every time we turn over a stone, we find something new,” said prosecutor Carl Asterius to the newspaper.
Police suspect the ringleader is a 29-year-old resident of the Stockholm suburb of Huddinge.
According to Asterius, charges could be filed just after the new year.
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