

Scotland Yard and the Federal Bureau of Investigation have revealed that they have successfully smashed a criminal network that used iTunes and Amazon to launder thousands of dollars obtained through credit card fraud.

It is alleged that the complicated fraud, which operated between September 2008 and January 2009, involved selling songs to iTunes and Amazon and then purchasing the songs with stolen credit card numbers. In doing so, the gang accrued royalties on all of the songs sold and were paid with “clean” money from both iTunes and Amazon.

Scotland Yard and the FBI claim that the gang bought their own songs through iTunes and Amazon thousands of times, spending about $750,000 using some 1,500 credit card numbers. The royalties for their “music” totaled nearly $300,000 and did not arouse the suspicion of either company.

Detective Chief Inspector Terry Wilson, of Scotland Yard’s e-crime unit:

This has been a complex investigation to establish what we believe to be an international conspiracy to defraud Apple and Amazon. It shows the success that can be achieved through our close working relationship with the FBI. We are now making it more risky for criminals who seek to exploit the internet and commit e-crime across national borders. We are working hard through partnership with industry and law enforcement to combat e-crime and are committed to pursuing those responsible.

The joint investigation has concluded with the arrests of seven men and three women, who are charged with conspiracy to commit fraud and money laundering. [The Age]