3 arrested in flight ticket scam

The Anti-Economic Crime Department of the Dubai Police has arrested three members of a gang that cheated would-be holidaymakers by selling them cheaper flight tickets bought with stolen credit card details.

The main suspects operating in Pakistan bought the tickets after hacking into the websites of various institutions including banks, and stealing credit card details. They offered the tickets at cheaper rates through advertisements on websites and media publications, said Brigadier Khalil Ibrahim Al Mansouri, Director of the General Department of Criminal Investigation. The Dubai Police have recorded 18 cases of the sale of such tickets from April 18.

The activities of the gang came to light after an American couple reported to the police that they called a UAE phone number in response to an advertisement on a website about tickets to Europe at low rates. The suspect offered them the tickets originally priced at Dh80,000 for Dh20,000.

After confirming the dates and departure timings, the couple paid part of the fare. On repeated enquiries, the suspect admitted to the couple that the booking was made using stolen credit card details. The couple alerted the police, who told them to continue dealing with the suspects.

Major Salah bu Osaiba, Director of the Anti-Economic Crime Department, said the police first arrested two suspects while they received the money from the couple.

The police found out that the two were just brokers of the prime suspects in Pakistan. The duo’s job was to sell the tickets and send the money to the main suspects. The duo said they also sold tickets to travel agencies at less than half the prices with the help of another suspect. The police arrested the third suspect and referred the three to the public prosecution.

news@khaleejtimes.com