THE HAGUE, Netherlands – ****** around the ***** have arrested 118 suspects in a global ************* into online fraud that targets the travel industry, a ***** said to cost airlines $1 billion a year.

European Union ****** co-ordination agency Europol said the arrests were made during two days of co-ordinated action this week at more than 80 airports in 45 countries.

The ************* targeted criminal online services selling credit card details and fake plane tickets.

Europol Director Rob Wainwright said Friday that the ************* and arrests were the result of close co-operation between law enforcement agencies, the ******* industry and credit card companies.

Wainwright said “We are reaching new levels with our co-operation and aim to become an unbeatable alliance with aspirations to make cyberspace as ***** free as possible for global citizens.”