In a four-hour island-wide operation conducted on 16 August 2020, officers from the Commercial Affairs Department, Criminal Investigation Department and Police Intelligence Department conducted simultaneous raids targeting 16 handphone shops located at Ang Mo Kio, Changi, City Hall, Little India, Orchard, Ubi and Woodlands. Seven men and one women, aged between 19 and 55, were arrested for their suspected involvement in fraudulently registering prepaid SIM cards using the particulars of unsuspecting customers or foreigners who have not entered Singapore. Nine men and four women, aged between 24 and 60, are assisting with investigations.
Investigations revealed that these handphone retailers had abused the computer systems holding registration information for prepaid SIM cards. They would then pre-register SIM cards using particulars of others and sell them to customers who wish to remain anonymous. An assortment of paraphernalia such as terminal devices, desktops, laptops, printers, handphones, invoices, photocopied passports, SIM cards and relevant documents were seized during the operation.
Criminals exploit such fraudulently registered prepaid SIM cards as an anonymous channel of communications for unlicensed moneylending, scams, and vice, among other illicit activities. For example, scam syndicates have been found to perpetuate their criminal activities by using such prepaid SIM cards to contact victims and amongst themselves to evade possible detection.
Investigations are ongoing. The offence of unauthorised modification of computer material under Section 5(1) of the Computer Misuse Act, Chapter 50A carries a fine not exceeding $10,000, or to an imprisonment term not exceeding 3 years, or to both.
The Police will spare no effort to clamp down on such errant handphone shop dealers who may be indirectly facilitating illegal activities. Those involved in such illegal activities will be dealt with in accordance with the law.
SINGAPORE POLICE FORCE
16 August 2020 @ 6:30 PM