Previous Story
Tourist allegedly yields 39 credit/debit cards belonging to others
CNMI Customs inspectors arrested a tourist who was allegedly found in possession of 39 credit/debit cards issued to other Chinese nationals upon arrival at the Francisco C. Ada-Saipan International Airport last week.
Binbin Zhang, 27, was arrested on charges of attempt and misuse of credit cards and issuance of bad checks, and possession of forged writing or forgery device.
At a hearing on Friday, Superior Court Associate Judge Joseph N. Camacho imposed a $30,000 cash bail and set the preliminary hearing for May 25 at 9am.
Assistant public defender Tillman Clark was appointed as counsel for Zhang. Assistant attorney general Matthew Baisley appeared for the government. The court appointed a translator for the defendant.
CNMI Customs inspector I Michael N. Pangelinan stated in his report that last Sunday, May 15, at 3:05am, Zhang and his alleged girlfriend Baoping Li, arrived at the airport.
Pangelinan said during the routine inspection, two Customs inspectors found Zhang in possession of 39 commercial cards concealed in a card organizer.
The inspectors discovered that most of the credit cards were registered to other Chinese nationals, while others have no names.
Pangelinan said seized were credit cards and debit cards from multiple banks, company specific-shopping cards, and other cards that appear to be intended to make purchases.
Pangelinan said during his interview, Zhang said he planned to stay on Saipan for four days and set to depart last Thursday.
Zhang claimed to have authorization to possess each card for the purpose of shopping for friends.
Pangelinan said upon further investigation, he learned that Zhang did not have any documentation providing his authorization to use the cards.
The girlfriend denied having knowledge of the cards and the owners of the cards.
Pangelinan said he contacted the fraud departments of the various banks that issued the cards and is awaiting to hear back from the banks.
