Published on May 24, 2006

WASHINGTON - Some 565 suspects were arrested in Europe and in North and South America in a crackdown on Internet fraud dubbed "Operation Global Con," US officials announced.

More than 2.8 million people, mainly elderly US citizens, fell victim to the scams, suffering losses totaling more than one billion dollars, the Justice Department said in a statement.

Fake offers of "pre-approved" credit cards

The operation, which began in March, targets mass-marketing scams such as bogus lottery, prize and sweepstakes offerings; offers of nonexistent investments; fake offers of "pre-approved" credit cards or credit-card protection; and tax fraud schemes.

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