A credit card scam has been uncovered in Queenstown.
Police yesterday executed a search warrant at a Queenstown address and hundreds of false credit, loyalty and identity cards, as well as equipment used to manufacture them, were discovered, they said.
Police wanted to hear from any victims of the scam or those who might have bought false cards, Detective Sergeant Malcolm Inglis, of Queenstown, said.
''The main aim today was to put a stop to the practice and prevent any further cards from reaching the market,'' he said.
A 26-year-old Italian man was arrested in relation to the discovery and was charged with forgery.
It was unknown whether others were involved in the scam.
''Quite often these groups do work in syndicates - we wouldn't be surprised if there were others involved,'' he said.
Police acted on a tip-off.
It was unknown how long the operation had been occurring but police believed numerous items were obtained using the falsified cards. The number of victims and value of loss could not be estimated yet.
Det Sgt Inglis said the scam was the largest he had seen.
''For this area, it's the largest one I'm aware of,'' he said.
''Well over 100 cards were found and the ability to print numerous more.
''A lot of these were non-New Zealand cards, so they could have been used overseas as well as locally. The concern is, with all of these cards going out to the market, some might have gone overseas.''
The cards could be used in everything from identity theft to fraudulent purchases and some cards were loaded with false identities and some with loyalty points.
Some victims of the scam might have bought loyalty cards in good faith.
Police wanted to hear from anyone who was suspicious of the cards they had in their possession or who had suspicious transactions made on their credit cards, Det Sgt Inglis said.
Anyone with information that can help or who may been scammed by a false credit card should contact Queenstown police on (03) 441-1600.
Information can also be provided anonymously to the organisation Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.
No matter the circumstances of how the card came to be in someone's possession, they should contact police, Det Sgt Inglis said.
''We will treat it case by case if they come forward to speak to us,'' he said.
The 26-year-old will appear in the Queenstown District Court tomorrow.
