International credit/debit card ring busted

A group, involved in an alleged credit and debit card fraud worth up to $100 million, has been busted by the Mounties in Montreal.

The RCMP say 45 people were arrested Wednesday in about 60 raids conducted in the Montreal area and in Ontario.

More than 250 officers from various police forces took part in the operation to crackdown on the Montreal-based network.

Arrest warrants have been issued for 61 people who are expected to face more than 350 criminal charges, including gangsterism, fraud and identity theft.

The RCMP says charges of gangsterism linked to fraud are uncommon in Canada.

The investigation began in September 2008 after financial institutions made several complaints to police.

The banks were also noted to have helped police track down the operatives of the ring.

The RCMP says the criminal groups are believed to be associated with accomplices in Vancouver as well as others operating abroad in countries such as Australia, New Zealand, Malaysia, Tunisia and England.