NEW YORK—The largest and most sophisticated identity theft and credit card fraud network uncovered thus far led to 111 indictments, announced the Queens district attorney’s office on Friday.
Dubbed “Operation Swiper,” the network involved restaurant workers, bank tellers, and store employees stealing identity information from unwitting clients. Counterfeiters then used the stolen identities to forge credit cards, giving them to “shopping crews,” who went on nationwide shopping sprees for goods to be resold later for profit.
The network was connected to identity theft rings in Europe, Asia, Africa, and the Middle East. The district attorney’s office charged that the group is responsible for $13 million in losses over a 16-month period. Of those charged, 86 are in custody and 25 are still being sought.
“Credit card fraud and identity theft are two of the fastest growing crimes in the United States,” said Queens District Attorney Richard A. Brown in a statement. “Even after the culprits are caught and prosecuted, their victims are still faced with the difficult task of having to repair their credit ratings and financial reputations.”
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