Misuse of credit card leads to arrest, charges

RCMP are recommending 18 charges against a woman accused of fraudulently using a credit card.

Police say the victim reported that a credit card, which he had disposed of two years earlier, had recently been used to fraudulently purchase thousands of dollars in merchandise.

West Kelowna RCMP initiated an investigation, with the assistance of the store’s loss prevention officer who had compiled surveillance evidence, which helped to identify the suspect.

Officers executed a search warrant at the suspect’s residence in Peachland.

The operation led to the recovery of thousands of dollars in merchandise, allegedly obtained through fraudulent use of the credit card.

A female suspect was arrested, and the RCMP has recommended 18 criminal charges. The charges include fraud and possession of property obtained by crime under $5,000.

The suspect is scheduled to make her first court appearance in January 2024.

“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,” Const. Mike Della-Paolera, media relations officer with the Kelowna RCMP, said.