A Leicester man has been arrested as part of a worldwide investigation into a website where fraud gangs allegedly traded stolen credit card details and personal data.

The 27-year-old's city home was raided by the Serious and Organised Crime Agency, (Soca), and City of London Police on Thursday.

He has been questioned about the Darkmarket site – where criminals allegedly bought and sold personal data which was used to carry out massive frauds.

Police believe he had access to the website, which allegedly operated a strict invited members-only policy.

Today, Soca would only disclose that the Leicester suspect was arrested and questioned on "suspicion of possession of articles used or in connection with fraud".

Articles were also removed from his home. It is understood these could have included computer equipment, credit cards or stolen personal data.

Four other suspects were arrested in Britain on Thursday – bringing the running total of detentions in the past 18 months to 60.

Further arrests are expected both here and abroad as the investigation continues.

Sharon Lemon, Soca's deputy director of E-Crime, said: "The people involved in this kind of activity are not technical experts, they are thieves with keyboards and they have a certain arrogance – they think they are untouchable.

"The message is that no-one should feel confident that these forums are a secure place to operate.

"While some suspects remain at large in the UK and overseas, Soca and its partners will continue to identify these individuals and bring them to justice."

A fraud expert at the University of Leicester today warned that criminals are increasingly turning to hi-tech methods.

Professor Martin Gill, who leads the Perpetuity research group, said: "This is potentially an example of where the internet is being used for criminal purposes. It should raise our awareness about the security of personal data and it is unlikely this will be the last time the internet is used in this way."

The investigation into the website was launched by the FBI in the United States some years ago.

Shawn Henry, assistant director of the FBI's cyber division, said: "In today's world of rapidly-expanding technology, where cyber crimes are perpetrated instantly from anywhere in the world, law enforcement needs to be flexible and creative in our efforts to target these criminals."