Man purchased KrisFlyer accounts online, used miles to buy phone at Changi Airport and pastries in Bugis
A 28-year-old Indonesian man allegedly bought KrisFlyer accounts online and used the miles from these accounts to make retail purchases in Singapore.
The man had, while overseas, accessed the KrisFlyer accounts of other individuals after purchasing them illegally online.
In June 2024, he flew to Singapore. He purportedly used the stolen miles to buy a Samsung phone and a phone cover at Changi Airport, as well as pastries from a store in Bugis. The items amounted to more than $1,600.
Singapore Airlines lodged a police report on October 11, 2024, regarding suspected fraudulent transactions using KrisFlyer miles that were detected by local merchants in June.
With the aid of CCTV footage and ground enquiries, Airport Police Division (APD) officers established the man's identity, but he had already left the country in September 2024, before the report was lodged.
He returned to Singapore on January 11 and was detained by APD officers at Changi Airport.
The man was charged in court on May 29 with two counts of unauthorised access to computer material and two counts of unauthorised modification of computer material under the Computer Misuse Act 1993.
If found guilty of the first offence, he could face a fine of up to $5,000, a jail term of up to two years, or both. For the second offence, he could face a maximum fine of $10,000, up to three years' imprisonment, or both.
The police reminded the public on the importance of safeguarding online accounts by enabling Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA) or Two-Factor Authentication (2FA), where possible, to enhance security.
Those who notice any suspicious or unauthorised transactions should report the incident to your service provider or bank immediately.
If you have any information relating to such crimes, call the police hotline at 1800 255 0000, or submit it online at www.police.gov.sg/i-witness.
