DETECTIVES are warning Derry businesses to be extra vigilant for crooks after a number of firms in the North were targeted in a card scam.
Detective Inspector Will Tate said a number of business were hit for thousands of pounds as a result of the sophisticated scam.
Officers believe it is part of a UK wide credit card racket.
He said: “An agricultural supplies business in the Mid Ulster area has lost £5,000 of stock as a result.
“Police are currently investigating a UK wide credit card fraud which entails someone purporting to buy up large quantities of stock from various sectors.
“Orders and payments are taken over the telephone and a number of credit cards are used to make payment.
“Reports suggest that the person placing the order may have an Asian-type accent and asks for the order to be dispatched quickly. The ‘buyer’ will send a local, independent courier to collect on their behalf who is not involved in the scam.”
DI Tate said many local businesses had been victims of the scam.
“It has huge implications for their often relatively small, family run businesses.
“The average loss is around £6,000. Last year it is estimated that there was £113,000 of lost revenue to local businesses, and this was likely the tip of the iceberg.
“Police would urge caution when taking credit card payment by telephone. These people have all the required details including the person’s address, it gives the appearance of being legitimate.
“But the callers may not be able to tell the seller which bank the card is issued from.
“These people are brazen. They are targeting every sector across the country and some and Police are appealing to business owners to be vigilant and report anything suspicious to police.”
As part of the ongoing investigation, detectives recovered a quantity of silage netting in the Dungannon area two months ago.
Police suspect it was bought with a fraudulent credit card.
A 34-year-old man was arrested on suspicion of fraud and has since been released on bail pending further enquiries.
DI Tate appealed to any victims to come forward and warned businesses and local couriers advertising on internet sites to be aware of who they were working for.
Anyone who has been a victim of the crime is asked to ring their local police station on the 101 non emergency number.
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