Suspect arrested in fraudulent credit card case in West Kelowna

West Kelowna RCMP say they have arrested a woman suspected of thousands of dollars in credit card fraud.

The victim reported Sept. 22 that his credit card, which he said he had disposed of two years prior, had been used to fraudulently purchase thousands of dollars of merchandise.

Mounties began an investigation in conjunction with the loss prevention officer at the store where the purchases were made. After compiling surveillance footage from the store over the course of a month, police were able to identify the suspect.

Police say they then executed a search warrant at the suspect’s Peachland home, where they found thousands of dollars in merchandise that had been purchased using the credit card.

The woman was then arrested.

“The victim promptly reported the fraudulent use of a credit card he had disposed of, allowing our members to swiftly identify the suspect, effect the arrest, and return the stolen property to the store,” said media relations officer Const. Mike Della-Paolera.

Mounties are recommending 18 criminal charges, including fraud and possession of property obtained by crime under $5,000. Police say the suspect is expected to make her first court appearance in January.