Police are urging the public to protect their credit cards after a 23-year-old Guildford man was charged as part of an ongoing investigation into alleged betting agency fraud.
The charges relate to alleged fraudulent transactions — totalling in excess of $3 million — made in July 2014 at TAB betting agencies in Pendle Hill, Greystanes, Guildford, Granville and Newtown.
‘‘It is one of the more significant arrests Strike Force Ozpika has made,’’ Fairfield crime manager, Detective Inspector Ed Walsh, told the Sun on Friday.
Strike Force Ozpika was established by detectives from his command in May 2014, to investigate fraudulent transactions at betting agencies across south west Sydney. But the problem is more widespread.
‘‘There’s hundreds and hundreds of cards that have been compromised’’
- — Detective Inspector Ed Walsh
‘‘It’s across the whole of Sydney,’’ Detective Inspector Walsh said.
He said the offences involve stolen or compromised credit cards being used to facilitate betting in false names, and to top up TAB accounts.
‘‘There’s hundreds and hundreds of cards that have been compromised,’’ Detective Inspector Walsh said.
‘‘The details of the cards have been obtained in a number of different ways ... [including] by stealth. Individuals have been randomly targeted.’’
He cautioned against complacency if your card is lost or stolen.
‘‘People need to be aware of where their cards are at all times and to make sure there are no fraudulent activities taking place, and if there are to report it to their financial institution,’’ he said.
The 23-year-old Guildford man has been charged with seven counts of each: dishonestly obtain financial advantage by deception, deal with identity information to commit indictable offence, and recklessly deal with proceeds of crime.
He has been granted strict conditional bail to appear before Fairfield Local Court on September 14.
This is the fourth arrest by Strike Force Ozpika detectives.
Three men – two aged 24 and another aged 21 – are currently before the courts. Inquiries are continuing.
Anyone with information in relation to these incidents is urged to call Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.
Identity theft is a type of fraud that involves using someone else's identity to steal money or gain other benefits.
In July 2015, 976 reports of identity theft were provided to the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission, totalling $44,397 of financial losses.
