SKOPJE, Macedonia (AP) — Macedonian police say they have arrested nine men suspected of creating fake websites for public utilities in the United States, Canada, Australia and New Zealand to steal money from their customers.

Police spokesman Ivo Kotevski said Thursday that the gang made an estimated US$200,000 from utility customers whom they e-mailed claiming they owed money in unpaid power or water bills.

Their victims were directed to the fake utility websites, which charged their credit cards for the supposed bills.

The suspects have been charged with forming a criminal group and “misuse of credit card data.”

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