AN eagle-eyed member of the public has helped smash a credit card scam worth thousands of pounds.

Twelve people from Prestwich have been arrested and released on bail after a series of dawn raids following a tip-off.

An Aladdin's cave of seized goods worth thousands of pounds, bought by the gang of fraudsters, has been set up at Prestwich Police Station. It includes everything from mobile phones to games consols.

However, police have said that most of the victims are probably unaware that their credit and debit card details have been used illegally.

Insp David Jones, of Prestwich and Whitefield Township Police, would not reveal how the fraud worked for fear of copycat incidents.

But he did say: "We are very pleased that we have brought to light quite a lucrative scam.

"We had been monitoring it but as a result of information we received from a member of the public, we were able to get search warrants and carry out a dawn swoop.

"It runs into many thousands of pounds and we have only received a small percentage of the property bought. We are looking for more and it could take months to clear up."

The gang ordered the goods by telephone after laying their hands on account details. The goods were then delivered to an empty flat in the town centre.

Police think they are dealing with up to 150 separate offences of theft and deception.

More arrests could follow.

However, Insp Jones said: "The victims probably won't know until the New Year that they have had hundreds of pounds taken out of their accounts.

"I am very grateful for the information received, as will be the innocent victims.

"My message to members of the public is that they should not let their credit cards out of their sight and all receipts and documentation should be taken home with them."

The arrests are a coup for the seasonal police initiative in Prestwich and Whitefield - codenamed Operation Santa Claus.

In total, 25 people have been arrested for offences such as robbery, burglary, deception and theft of motor vehicles, clearing up 200 crimes.

"The message at the start was that we were going to make villains' lives a misery; this is what we have done.

"The number of arrests is down on last year but it has been quality rather than quantity and we are still out there," warned Insp David Jones.

Pictured is Sgt Ian Campbell with some of the recovered property

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