Washingtontimes.com
Federal agents yesterday disrupted what they called a $5 million credit card scheme involving more than two dozen Pakistani nationals, all targeted in a Northern Virginia undercover investigation known as "Operation Swipe Out."
U.S. Attorney Paul J. McNulty said that while no specific evidence tied the suspects to known international terrorists, an investigation by the Credit Card Fraud Task Force was continuing and a possible terrorism link had not been ruled out.
"They made $5 million and we just don't see it in lavish lifestyles or expensive toys," Mr. McNulty said, noting that task force investigators were concerned about a lack of tangible evidence to show how the credit card ring spent its illicit profits.
"We know that terrorists need to conceal their identities to be able to strike, and we know credit card fraud is one of the ways they do it," he said. "There are a number of factors that raise questions in this case that we need to pursue."
Posted by Suzanne at January 30, 2003