Counterfeit credit cards

A  BULGARIAN man allegedly used 21 counterfeit credit cards to obtain thousands of euros in a period of three days, police said yesterday.
Christo Constantinov, 33, was arrested on Friday in Ayia Napa after the credit card processing company JCC notified the police.
Police said the suspect used 21counterfeit credit cards to withdraw money from ATMs on 17 different occasions between September 8 and 10.
He is being investigated in connection with forgery, circulation of fake credit cards, theft, and illegal processing of personal data.  
The Bulgarian national was yesterday remanded in custody for six days.
The court heard that the suspect arrived in Cyprus after being instructed by a Russian partner of his in Lebanon to withdraw thousands of euro using the forged cards.
The Russian promised Constantinov 20 per cent of the money, and instructed him to transfer the rest to a bank account in Lebanon.
On Friday, JCC notified Famagusta police that €3,600 had been withdrawn from 10 ATMs in Ayia Napa.
When the suspect tried to withdraw more money at 3:30 pm, police rushed to the scene and searched him finding nine counterfeit credit cards and €766.
Following a search of his hotel room police found two more cards, a personal data recognition device and €5,500.
Police said they will examine security camera footage and contact Interpol Bulgaria for possible leads on the case.

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