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https://www.straitstimes.com/singapore/s...best-denki

SINGAPORE - An emerging trend of foreigners being sent to Singapore by syndicates to commit credit card fraud has raised alarm bells, with retailers across the island being targeted.


The authorities have warned retailers about syndicates that are believed to have stolen the credit card details of victims here through a series of online phishing scams.

These details are then loaded onto a mobile app that can be controlled remotely and used for contactless payments.

Since Nov 4, at least 10 victims who had fallen for e-commerce scams have reported unauthorised transactions totalling more than $100,000 on their credit cards for purchases such as electronic products, like iPhones and chargers, and jewellery in Singapore.

On Nov 6 and 7, the police arrested three Chinese nationals, aged between 29 and 36, for their suspected involvement in a transnational syndicate.

More than $20,000 in cash, four gold bars and 27 iPhones were recovered and seized in that case.

On Nov 8, Zhang Tianyu, 29, Xu Zhaochen, 36, and Li Xueqi, 36, were each charged with one count of cheating.

They had allegedly committed credit card fraud by buying iPhones from the Apple Store in Orchard Road.

As part of ongoing investigations, the police took the three men to Apple reseller iStudio at Bugis Junction on Nov 14. The men were in restraints and questioned by police at the scene.

Investigations into a fourth person, named in court documents as Zhao Yongzhi, are ongoing.

In another case with a similar modus operandi, the police arrested a Malaysian man and woman on Nov 8.

The police said the duo had responded to a fast cash advertisement on social media.

The man then tried to buy mobile phones at a retail store using a mobile wallet. But the payment failed after several attempts and a police report was made.

The police identified the duo within seven hours and arrested them, seizing three mobile phones, a bank receipt and $7,600 in cash.

On Nov 9, Quek Jian Qing, 21, and Yong Huo Ying, 24, were each charged with one count of cheating.

The duo had allegedly conspired to commit credit card fraud to purchase iPhones at the Best Denki outlet at Parkway Parade.

They were taken to the store on Nov 14 by the police for investigations.

The two cases are believed to involve different syndicates, despite bearing the same modus operandi.

The five suspects are in remand, and their cases are expected to be heard again on Nov 15.

On Nov 14, a police advisory was issued to retailers of high-value electronic and luxury goods, warning them about the emerging crime trend.

The advisory said suspicious persons have been making contactless payments without presenting a physical card.

Retailers are advised to look out for customers who attempt to make several contactless payments, with some transactions failing, then trying a different mobile phone or card....