Three Held in Singapore Over Alleged Stolen Card Fraud

Three men believed to be members of a transnational scam syndicate were arrested in Singapore between Monday (Oct 26) and Tuesday (Oct 27) over an alleged stolen card fraud targeting high-end tech goods, Malay Mail reported, citing the Singapore Police Force.

The suspects, aged 25, 27 and 36, were to be charged in court on Wednesday (Oct 28) with abetment of conspiracy to cheat. Their names and nationalities were not given.

Graphics Cards Bought With Mobile Wallet

Police said they received a call for assistance from a retail establishment on Rochor Canal Road at about 7.45pm on Oct 26.

Earlier that day, the 36-year-old man had allegedly used a mobile wallet to buy two graphics cards worth more than S$2,700 (about RM8,600) at a retail store. Around an hour later he returned and tried to buy IT components worth more than S$4,000, but staff grew suspicious and alerted security, who detained him.

According to police, the man had allegedly been receiving instructions through a mobile app to make high-end purchases using a mobile wallet and hand the goods over to accomplices.

Accomplices Arrested at Changi Airport

The two alleged accomplices, aged 25 and 27, had left the scene in a rented vehicle. Officers identified them through CCTV footage and images from police cameras.

They were arrested separately in the transit area of Changi Airport on Oct 27, before they could leave Singapore. Police said the pair were also linked to at least one other payment fraud case at a different retail store.

Items seized included GeForce RTX 5070 graphics cards, an iPhone 18 Pro Max and several other mobile phones.

Stolen Card Fraud Charge Carries Up to 10 Years

The three face charges of abetment of conspiracy to cheat under Section 420 read with Section 109 of the Penal Code 1871, police said. If convicted, each faces up to 10 years’ jail and a fine, according to the reports.

AsiaOne reported that police said they take a serious view against anybody who may be involved in scams and frauds.

Police also advised the public to take care when making card payments, shop on reliable sites, report lost or stolen cards to their banks immediately, turn on SMS alerts and never share one-time passwords.

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