I think it is definitely fraudulent on the website's part, but I am intrigued by the fact that you girlfriend did not notice the charge on her card for 8 months? May be she was away from her home and busy with her studies but didn't keep a tab on her finances? Where the money is coming and where it is going? Didn't she get her credit card statement in email or she can't see it online on her card issuer's website?

I really don't understand how can one fail to notice a monthly charge, month after month after month. I think this kind of gross financial negligence on part of the customers is what bolsters these fraudsters and their business model of charging a monthly subscription.