The Police are investigating into four teenagers, aged between 13 and 17, and a 20-year-old man for their suspected involvement in a series of cheating cases.
On 7 May 2019, the Police received a report that a victim was purportedly cheated by her friend, a 13-year-old male teenager, into providing him with a one-time pin (OTP) which she received on her mobile phone. She later discovered that over $500 worth of unauthorised iTunes transactions were charged under her mobile phone line.
Preliminary investigations revealed that the 13-year-old male teenager, together with two other male teenagers, aged 13 and 17, were asked by another 17-year-old male teenager to provide him with the mobile phone numbers of potential victims, and the OTP that subsequently appeared on the victims’ phone. The trio were promised payments of $100 for every mobile phone number and accompanying OTP provided. However, the trio were eventually not paid after submitting the mobile phone numbers and accompanying OTPs to the second 17-year-old male teenager. It is believed that there are at least five other victims involved.
Through investigations, officers from Bedok Police Division established the identity of the second 17-year-old male teenager and arrested him on 9 May 2019. Further investigations revealed that the second 17-year-old male teenager subsequently sold the mobile phone numbers and accompanying OTPs to a 20-year-old man for $50 per set. The latter used the mobile phone numbers and OTPs to purchase in-game credits, and in turn, sold the credits to potential buyers for cash. The officers established the identity of the 20-year-old men and arrested him on 10 May 2019.
The 20-year-old man will be charged in court on 11 May 2019 with cheating, under Section 420 of the Penal Code, Chapter 224. If convicted, he will be punished with imprisonment for a term which may extend up to 10 years, and shall also be liable to a fine. Investigations against the four teenagers are ongoing.
SINGAPORE POLICE FORCE
11 May 2019 @ 12:15 AM