Friday, May 24, 2013
Friday, May 24, 2013
SHARE:
Also on Philly.com
Stay Connected

Reputed $200M credit-card scam ringleader caught

FILE - This file photo taken Nov. 18, 2009, a pile of MasterCard and VISA credit cards are displayed in Frankfurt, Germany. A sweater you buy for Christmas goes on sale for half price the next day. You might be able to get the difference back if you paid with a credit card.(AP Photo/Jochen Krause, File)
FILE - This file photo taken Nov. 18, 2009, a pile of MasterCard and VISA credit cards are displayed in Frankfurt, Germany. A sweater you buy for Christmas goes on sale for half price the next day. You might be able to get the difference back if you paid with a credit card.(AP Photo/Jochen Krause, File)
The Associated Press
Posted: Friday, February 8, 2013, 4:46 PM

NEWARK, N.J. - A man authorities say helped mastermind a massive credit card fraud ring has been arrested as he tried to flee the country.

Muhammad Shafiq was arrested Thursday night as he tried to board a flight to Pakistan at New York's Kennedy Airport.

The 38-year-old Shafiq is a Pakistani citizen.

Authorities say he was one of the masterminds of a $200 million scam that operated out of Jersey City.

More coverage
  • Philly woman called major player in 'largest credit-card scam ever'
  • N.J. restricts credit-card company access to students

    • The group allegedly used fake businesses and at least 7,000 identities to open 25,000 credit card accounts. They allegedly maxed out the cards and didn't pay the bills.

    Authorities charged 18 people, including Shafiq, on Tuesday with one count of wire fraud. Three remain at large.

    Shafiq appeared before a judge Friday and remained in custody.

    The Associated Press