Credit card fraud, identity thefts net 4 arrests in Calgary

Police say they have busted an active organized crime group operating in Western Canadaafter a stolen credit card was used in an attempt to rent a car at the Calgary airport.

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Police were alerted by a car rental company on Oct. 22.

A searchdiscoveredforged credit cards, forged government identification cardsand altered cards containing stolen credit card data, illegal drugs anda replica firearm.Officers also located stolen property and $1,063 in cash.

Staff Sgt. KristieVerheul said the group is based in Calgary, but has been active in Manitoba, Saskatchewan and British Columbia.

Only two victims of identity theft have beenidentified. Verheulsaid banksand credit card issuers were the main victims becausethe groupwas using an algorithm found on the internetto generate credit card numbers and false identities.

She also said the presence of drugs and stolen property indicates there was a variety of criminal activity taking place.

"The trend we are seeing nowadays is that all of this type of crime is interrelated," she said.

A man and a woman in their 20s are facing charges.

Two other people police believe were workingwith the coupleare also facing charges following a six-month investigation prompted bynumerouscomplaints about fraud.