Taiwanese duo arrested for using stolen credit card details to buy luxury goods at MBS, Ngee Ann City
Two Taiwanese men, aged 25 and 27, have been arrested for their suspected involvement in credit card fraud.
The police said on April 2, they received a call regarding a suspicious credit card transaction made at a luxury retail store in Marina Bay Sands and Ngee Ann City.
Officers from the Commercial Affairs Department, Central Police Division, Tanglin Police Division and Clementi Police Division conducted a joint operation and arrested the men on the same day.
Preliminary investigations revealed that the two men arrived in Singapore on April 1 and were allegedly working for an overseas criminal syndicate.
They were believed to have used the contactless payment method, also known as near-field communication (NFC) mobile payments, linked to stolen credit card details to make fraudulent purchases at various locations in Singapore.
The police said this modus operandi is believed to have defrauded multiple businesses, with the men successfully purchasing luxury items from various boutiques in Marina Bay Sands and Ngee Ann City.
These items -- including shoes, handbags, wallets, and earrings -- and four mobile phones were recovered and seized.
The men will be charged in court on April 4 with the offence of criminal conspiracy to cheat, which carries a jail term of up to 10 years and a fine.
The police remind members of the public that unauthorised use of another person's credit or debit card is a serious offence and that they take a serious view against any person who commits fraud.
Perpetrators will be dealt with in accordance with the law.
Members of the public are advised to call their card-issuing banks immediately if their credit/debit cards are lost or stolen, and to adopt the following crime prevention measures:
- 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;
- Check your bank statements and alert the bank immediately should there be any discrepancies or unauthorised charges;
- 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 One-Time Password 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.
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;
Check your bank statements and alert the bank immediately should there be any discrepancies or unauthorised charges;
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 One-Time Password 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.
