Travel agency investigated for credit card fraud

Edmonton police are continuing their investigation into credit card fraud at a southeast travel agency after a series of complaints stemming from alleged unauthorized credit card and cash transactions surfaced at the business.

In early January, detectives received a report of suspected fraudulent activity after a man's credit card had unapproved expenditures totalling almost $20,000.

Investigations revealed that the credit card information was believed to have been obtained following the man's purchase of an airline ticket at Payless Travel on 66 Street in December 2009.

Since then, 10 reports have come in from other people who also say they are victims of fraud in relation to the same travel agency.

Police believe a series of alleged frauds occurred at the agency in late 2009 through to early 2010.

An estimated $50,000 was obtained fraudulently, police said Wednesday.

A 56-year-old man related to the travel agency was charged in March with four counts of unauthorized use of credit card data, two counts of fraud over $5,000 and three counts of fraud under $5,000.

Additional charges are pending further investigation, police said.

The travel agency has been closed since the charges were laid in March.

The investigation is ongoing.