The Police have arrested three men, aged between 29 and 36, who are members of a transnational scam syndicate, for their suspected involvements in using stolen debit and credit card details to commit payment frauds across Singapore.
Since 4 November 2024, the Police received several reports from victims who had discovered unauthorised transactions made to their debit and/or credit cards for purchases such as electronic products and jewelleries in Singapore. Through ground enquires and with the aid of images from CCTVs and Police cameras, officers from the Central Police Division established the identities of the three men and arrested them on 6 and 7 November 2024.
Preliminary investigations revealed that the victims have fallen for e-commerce related phishing scams, where they unwittingly provided their cards’ details as part of the checkout process. Unbeknownst to them, such e-commerce social media and websites are fake and used to deceive victims into providing their payment cards’ details. These details were then misappropriated and abused to make payments for popular model of mobile phones, electronic accessories, and gold bars without their knowledge.
This syndicate is believed to have defrauded more than ten victims, who collectively suffered financial losses amounting to more than $100,000. Cash amounting to more than S$20,000, four gold bars, 27 Apple iPhones and other related mobile accessories were successfully recovered and seized.
The three men will be charged in court on 8 November 2024 with conspiracy to cheat under Section 420 read with Section 120B of the Penal Code 1871 which carries an imprisonment term of up to ten years and a fine.
The Police take a serious stance against any person who may be involved in scams, and perpetrators will be dealt with in accordance with the law.
Members of the public are advised to be prudent when making online payments using their card details and to visit only reliable websites for online shopping. Also, to safeguard their card details and not to disclose sensitive banking information with anyone. If their credit/debit cards are lost or stolen, to immediately call their card-issuing banks and to adopt the following crime prevention measures:
Do’s
- Keep your credit or debit cards safe with you at all times;
- Opt in for SMS notifications to be sent to your mobile phone for any charges incurred on your credit or debit cards; and
- Check your bank statements and alert the bank immediately should there be any discrepancies or unauthorised charges.
Don’ts
- Do not click on URL links in unsolicited emails and text messages and give out your credit or debit card details to unknown persons;
- Do not reveal your OTPs to anyone; and
- Do not expose your credit or debit cards. Keep them in your purse or wallet until you are ready to make your purchases.
SINGAPORE POLICE FORCE
07 November 2024 @ 11:30 PM