The gang is believed to be linked to at least 60 fraud cases involving amount of more than HK$1.8 million, according to the police.
Chief inspector Fung Chi-tat said police had received multiple complaints from residents whose credit cards were stolen and used to buy mobile phones.
“Investigations showed that these people had been to popular tourist spots or entertainment venues in Shenzhen but had not checked up on their belongings at those places,” he said.
“It was only after they were informed by their banks of unusual, large-value credit card transactions that they realised their cards had been stolen and used.”
Superintendent Tsang Chun-kit said the gang stole credit cards from Hong Kong residents in Shenzhen and brought the cards back to the SAR immediately to shop at different stores.
The suspects would then resell the items the same day before fleeing Hong Kong.
Tsang added that the syndicate had mistakenly believed they could evade arrest by fleeing the SAR.
However, he said, the Hong Kong police force has been in close communication with mainland law enforcement authorities.
Sixteen of the arrests – 11 men and five women aged between 17 and 45 – were made in Hong Kong while Public Security Bureau officers in Shenzhen picked up 11 men and six women aged 36 to 56.
