Chinese national asked by friend to work in S'pore for $2,600, ends up in jail after buying iPhones for syndicate
Nadine Chua
The Straits Times
July 8, 2025
A man has been jailed after he came to Singapore and used the credit card details of scam victims to buy more than $40,000 worth of mobile phones.
Zhang Tianyu, 29, was part of a transnational scam syndicate that cheated retailers such as Best Denki, iStudio and Challenger.
On July 8, the China national was handed a 30-month jail term after pleading guilty to cheating and acquiring property which represents benefits from criminal conduct.
In November 2024, Zhang's friend Zhao Yongzhi asked him if he wanted to work in Singapore for a salary of 15,000 yuan (S$2,600).
Zhang agreed, and both men flew to Singapore that month.
While in Singapore, Zhang was given a mobile phone installed with an app that allowed the credit card details of fraud victims to be remotely added and used for contactless transactions.
Deputy Public Prosecutor Nicole Teo said these card details were mostly obtained from victims of phishing.
Over three days, Zhang used the credit card details to buy 20 iPhone 16 mobile phones worth over $40,000 from iStudio at Bugis Junction, Best Denki at Funan, and Best Denki and Challenger at Plaza Singapura.
He also followed Zhao to sell the phones to an unknown individual, and received an envelope containing $22,500 in cash to take back to their hotel room.
Seeking 36 to 40 months' jail, DPP Teo said Zhang's offences were transnational and syndicated in nature, and noted how elaborate and sophisticated the scheme was.
In mitigation, defence lawyer David Nayar urged the court to impose a jail term of 20 months.
Mr Nayar said his client had come to Singapore to try out a job recommended by Zhao to earn money, and was initially unaware of the illicit nature of the activities.
"He expressed the desire to leave at first and not be involved in this scheme, but he was convinced to stay, as much had been spent to get him to Singapore. He foolishly agreed and regrets his actions," said the lawyer, noting that Zhang did not receive the 15,000 yuan salary he was promised.
In response, the prosecution said Zhang's decision to offend should not be characterised as a spur of the moment decision, given that his offending behaviour was carried out over three days.
In June, Zhao was charged with cheating and acquiring cash which directly represented benefits from criminal conduct. His case is still before the courts.
The police had previously warned of an emerging trend of foreigners being sent to Singapore by syndicates to commit credit card fraud, targeting retailers across the island.
Retailers are advised to look out for customers who attempt to make several contactless payments, and when some transactions fail, they would try a different mobile phone or card.
If found cheating, an offender can be jailed for up to 10 years and fined.
Those who acquire property which represents benefits from criminal conduct can be jailed for up to 10 years, fined up to $500,000, or both.
