Threat Management

Police arrest 118 suspected of airline ticket fraud

An international law enforcement effort led by Europol has resulted in the arrest of 118 individuals, who were suspected of fraudulently purchasing airline tickets online with fake or stolen credit card data.

On Friday, Europol announced the arrests that occurred with the help of representatives from 60 airlines and credit card companies Visa, MasterCard and American Express, which helped police identify “suspicious airline ticket transactions,” a release said.

Over the course of the operation, more than 281 suspicious transactions were flagged, the organization said.

“Notifications were sent to transport hubs across the world as waiting enforcement officers intercepted and detained suspects attempting to travel using fraudulently-obtained flight tickets,” the release continued.

According to the International Air Transport Association (IATA), fraudulent online ticket booking has led to $1 billion in losses for the airline industry.

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