SCORES of Hampshire residents have been left hundreds of pounds out of pocket by a card cloning scam that allegedly took place at a petrol station.

Last night, police dramatically raided the Shell garage in Portsmouth Road, Woolston, Southampton, after more than 80 people reported having money taken from their accounts at overseas locations.

It is thought hundreds more could have fallen victim without realising as they have not yet checked bank statements.

All of the victims allege they had recently used their cards at the petrol station.

Hundreds of pounds' Some - including five members of the same family - claim to have lost hundreds of pounds taken from their accounts as far away as Malaysia and Australia.

Detectives believe the card cloning scam is linked to a number of reported incidents around Britain, but insist the Woolston garage is the only one in Southampton being investigated as part of Operation Linwood.

The team of officers, headed by detectives from Bitterne CID, carried out the pre-planned raid last night, assisted by officers from across the county force, including Police Community Support Officers.

Last night more than 15 officers swooped on the business shortly after 6.15pm, swiftly closing it to the public using police vehicles to block the entrance and exit.

A short time later they arrested five people on suspicion of fraud by misrepresentation.

Inside the privately owned petrol station that is branded with the Shell logo because it uses the company's fuel, police questioned staff before removing potential evidence of the card-cloning scam.

Officers were seen searching for documentation that could be linked to criminal activity, as well as checking and removing ceiling panels, possibly searching for a hidden camera.

Police also raided a semi-detached four-bedroom house next door to the petrol station, which belongs to the garage's owner.

It is understood the three people living in the property all have links to the garage, and are believed to work there in various capacities.

On the street outside several passers-by stopped to watch, with some voicing their concerns about goings-on at the petrol station.

Warrants DS Dave Jackson said: "As a result of a number of complaints in relation to a card cloning scam we executed two warrants, one at the garage and one at a nearby house. Five people have been arrested in accordance with the Fraud Act.

"We're searching for evidence, both technical and documentation, relating to card details of people who may have visited the premises, and made an innocent purchase.

"Currently, the number of complaints we have received is around 80, but that figure is expected to rise.

"People are purchasing something that they need for their everyday lives, like fuel, and they don't expect it to end with their own money being drawn out of their accounts in places like Malaysia."

IF YOU THINK YOU HAVE BEEN A VICTIM OF CARD CLONING EMAIL THE DAILY ECHO NEWSDESK
newsdesk@dailyecho.co.uk