Shanghai police arrested five suspects from Macao and Hong Kong accused of using fake credit cards to go on a 450,000 yuan ($70,600) shopping spree.

All five suspects have been transferred for prosecution, Jiefang Daily reported.

Shanghai police said the suspects carried their fake laissez-passers when making the purchases in Shanghai's high-end shopping plazas including Plaza 66, CITIC Plaza and the International Finance Centre in July and August.

According to the report, the suspects got involved in the "business" because they had deep gambling debts and received "a 10 to 15 percent commission for each purchase". Police said they purchased 450,000 yuan in luxury watches, bags and clothes.

One of the suspects surnamed Zhu was sentenced to four years and six months in prison by a Guangdong court 11 years ago. The newspaper didn't say for what crime he was convicted.

Zhu said he carried a dozen credit cards in case one of them didn't work, and paid close attention to store security.

If the cards didn't work, Zhu said he would pay for the items with cash.