Chennai police suspect Malaysian link in credit card fraud

The city police are probing Malaysian links in a credit card fraud that came to light with the arrest of two persons.

K Shanawaz and Shanmuga Balaji, residents of the city, were arrested recently for purchasing LCD TVs costing a few lakhs using fake credit cards and selling them through some persons, a police release said today.

Officials said they suspect the mastermind behind the fraud could be based in Malaysia and were investigating in this direction.

Police advised traders to seek some alternative ID proof for credit card purchases involving "exorbitant amounts."

Though credit cards were now equipped with a photograph of the holder, traders could still seek other ID proofs such as driving license or passport, Police commissioner T Rajendran told reporters.

"They can seek ID proofs such as driving license or passport or even ask the buyer to name some acquiantance while accepting credit card payment involving exorbitant amounts, say even over Rs1 lakh," he said.