Moved here from the topic "Useful Websites and Stuff'
Second part of the series on crime preventions
Arrest of four foreigners for Credit Card Fraud
Police yesterday arrested four Indonesians suspected to be involved in several cases of credit card fraud.
On 22 Jun 2003, the Commercial Affairs Department (CAD) received information that members of a foreign counterfeit credit card syndicate were using counterfeit credit cards for fraudulent purchases of branded goods at several shopping centres in Singapore.
CAD worked closely with the banks to probe leads into the fraud. A breakthrough came on the afternoon of 23 Jun 2003 when one of the banks alerted police to the suspects after they had used counterfeit cards to make fraudulent credit card transactions at a shopping centre in Orchard Road. CAD officers arrived at the scene and arrested four Indonesian men aged between 25 years and 47 years. Six suspected counterfeit credit cards were recovered from their possession. Following their arrest, CAD officers recovered various goods that were believed to have been purchased with the use of the counterfeit credit cards in their hotel rooms in Orchard Road. This included an assortment of electronic goods, branded perfumes, watches, sunglasses and other items valued at about $45,000. Members of the Card Security Group assisted CAD in the operation.
The four Indonesian men have recently arrived in Singapore on social visit passes. They will be charged in Court at 9.00 am on 25 Jun 2003 for an offence of Cheating under Section 420 of the Penal Code and for possession of forged valuable securities under Section 474 read with 467 of Penal Code.
Police take a serious view of such offences. If convicted, the accused may face life imprisonment or imprisonment for a term of up to 7 years. The punishment for cheating is imprisonment for a term of up to seven years and a fine.
Police would like to take this opportunity to remind merchants to be alert when processing credit card transactions. They should look out for the various security features on the card face. If they are suspicious, they should contact their processing bank immediately for advice.
PUBLIC AFFAIRS DEPARTMENT
SINGAPORE POLICE FORCE
24 June 2003@ 2pm
Arrest of Male Chinese for Credit Card Fraud
Police yesterday arrested a male Chinese suspected to be involved in several cases of credit card fraud.
Between February and May 2003, Commercial Affairs Department (CAD) received several reports involving the use of fraudulent credit cards to purchase goods at several shopping centres in Singapore.
CAD worked closely with the banks to probe leads into the fraud. A breakthrough came when one of the banks alerted police to the suspect after he used a counterfeit card to make a fraudulent credit card transaction at a shopping centre in Woodlands. Following his arrest, CAD officers raided several locations and recovered various goods that were believed to have been purchased with the use of counterfeit credit cards. This included an assortment of electronic goods, health equipment and branded watches and other items valued at about $20,000. 19 suspected counterfeit credit cards were also recovered.
The 33 years old male Chinese is an ex-renovation contractor. He is believed to be involved in several other cases of credit card fraud. Investigations are still ongoing and further arrests are expected.
The accused will be charged in court at 9.00 am on 21 Jun 2003 for an offence of Cheating under Section 420 of the Penal Code and for possession of forged valuable securities under Section 474 read with 467 of Penal Code.
Police take a serious view of such offences. If convicted, the accused may face life imprisonment or imprisonment for a term of up to 7 years. The punishment for cheating is imprisonment for a term of up to seven years and a fine.
Police would like to take this opportunity to remind merchants to be alert when processing credit card transactions. They should look out for the various security features on the card face. If they are suspicious, they should contact their processing bank immediately for advice.
For photo opportunities, the media may contact DSP Mak Kum Kay, Head Financial Fraud Branch, CAD at Tel No. 65573750
PUBLIC AFFAIRS DEPARTMENT
SINGAPORE POLICE FORCE
20 June 2003
Credit Card cheats nabbed in double quick time
Yesterday at about 8.10pm, Police arrested two Malaysian men suspected to be involved in several cases of credit card fraud where counterfeit credit cards were used to make fraudulent purchases at several shopping centres in Singapore.
Acting on information received on the evening of 10 July 2003, the Commercial Affairs Department (CAD) worked closely with banks and members of the Card Security Group to probe leads into the fraud. A breakthrough came when one of the banks alerted Police to the cheats after they had used counterfeit cards to make fraudulent credit card purchases at a shopping centre located in Orchard Road. CAD officers proceeded to the scene immediately and arrested two Chinese men aged 36 and 39.
Three suspected counterfeit credit cards were recovered from the two men, together with an assortment of stolen properties that were believed to have been purchased with the use of counterfeit credit cards. The recovered items included branded pens, watch, sunglasses, clothings and skincare products valued at about $10,000.
The two cheats had arrived in Singapore on 10 Jul 2003 on social visit passes. They will be charged in Court at 9.00 am on 12 Jul 2003 for an offence of Cheating under Section 420 of the Penal Code and for possession of forged valuable securities under Section 474 read with 467 of Penal Code.
Police take a serious view of such offences. If convicted for possession of forged valuable securities, the two cheats may face life imprisonment. The punishment for cheating is imprisonment for a term of up to seven years and a fine.
Police would like to take this opportunity to remind merchants to be alert when processing credit card transactions. They should look out for the various security features on the card face. If they are suspicious, they should contact their processing bank immediately for advice.
PUBLIC AFFAIRS DEPARTMENT
SINGAPORE POLICE FORCE
11 July 2003 @ 2.15pm
Two Men Arrested For Carrying Out Fradulent
Retail Purchases Using Counterfeit Credit Cards
Two Indonesian men were arrested yesterday at the Harbourfront Centre for carrying out fraudulent retail purchases using counterfeit credit cards.
2. Police had received information that members of an Indonesian credit card syndicate were carrying out fraudulent retail purchases using counterfeit credit cards. The purchases were made at various shopping centres in Chinatown, Harbourfront Centre and Orchard Road.
3. Based on information received, officers from the Commercial Affairs Department arrested two Indonesian men at the Harbourfront Centre and also raided a private apartment off South Bridge Road on 19 Jan 04. During the operation, the officers also recovered several counterfeit credit cards together with an assortment of goods, which the suspects had purchased using the counterfeit credit cards.
4. The goods which were recovered included branded jeans, perfume, ladies wear, liquor, watches and expensive health tonics. The estimated value of the goods recovered amounted to about S$30,000.
5. The two suspects, aged 32 and 45 years old, holding social visit passes, will be charged in Court on 21 Jan 2004 for cheating and possession of forged valuable security under the Penal Code.
6. A person convicted of cheating can be punished with imprisonment for a term of up to 7 years, and shall also be liable to fine. A person convicted of possession of forged valuable security can be punished with imprisonment for life, or with imprisonment for a term of up to 7 years, and shall also be liable to fine.
7. Police would like to take this opportunity to remind merchants to be alert when processing credit card transactions. They should look out for the various security features on the card face. If they are suspicious, they should contact their processing bank immediately for advice.
PUBLIC AFFAIRS DEPARTMENT
SINGAPORE POLICE FORCE
20 Jan 2004 @ 10.00am
Be Wary Of Credit Card Fraudsters
Police would like to alert members of the public to be wary of a scam where fraudsters, posing as staff of financial institutions, would steal credit card details of unsuspecting bank customers.
2. The scam is perpetuated in this manner. The fraudster, posing as an investigator of a financial institution, would call up an unsuspecting bank customer over the phone, and claim that he is verifying a particular transaction purportedly carried out by the said customer. After the customer confirmed that no such transaction had been carried out, the fraudster would then promise to credit the said amount in the customer's next bank statement, and to initiate a fraud investigation into the matter. On the pretext of checking whether the customer still has his credit card in his possession, the fraudster would request the customer to provide the 3-digit number located at the signature panel of the card. Unsuspecting bank customers would then be deceived into releasing the 3-digit Card Validation Value to the fraudster. Combined with other credit card details, the fraudster would perpetrate fraud via internet, mail or telephone.
3. Although the police have not received any reports of such nature, we would like to advise members of the public to be wary of such frauds. Anyone who suspect that they may have fallen victims to such scams are advised to lodge a report at the nearest Neighbourhood Police Centre.
4. Banks and credit card companies have provided some tips to help members of the public prevent fraudulent use of credit cards:
Sign new or renewal cards immediately after receiving them.
Keep your card account numbers and personal identification number (PIN) in a safe and confidential place. Memorize your PIN.
Check your cards periodically to make sure none are missing.
Destroy and dispose of copies of receipts, airline tickets, travel itineraries, anything that displays your card numbers.
Do not provide information, especially credit card details, that you're uncomfortable in giving. If in doubt, always call the card-issuing bank to verify the identity of the caller.
NEVER give anyone the password that you use to log on to your online account or Internet Service Provider.
Do not provide financial account information unless you are paying for a purchase using that account.
Do not give out your credit card number/s online unless the site is a secure and reputable site. Sometimes a tiny icon of a padlock appears to symbolize a higher level of security to transmit data.
This icon is not a guarantee of a secure site, but might provide you some assurance. Make sure the transaction is secure when you electronically send your credit card numbers.
Do not trust a site just because it claims to be secure. Before using the site, check out the security/encryption software it uses. Ensure you are purchasing merchandise from a reputable, reliable and legitimate source.
Try to obtain a physical address rather than merely a post office box and a phone number.
Call the seller to see if the phone number provided is correct and working. Send them e-mail to see if they have an active e-mail address and be wary of sellers who use free e-mail services where a credit card was not required to open the account.
Consider not purchasing from sellers who would not provide you with the required information.
Check out other web sites regarding this person/company.
Check out unfamiliar companies by calling your local consumer protection agency.
Don't judge a person/company by their web site.
Be cautious when responding to special offers (especially through unsolicited e-mail).
Be cautious when dealing with individuals/companies from outside your own country.
Do keep a list of all your credit cards and account information along with the card issuer's contact information. If anything looks suspicious or you lose your credit card(s) you should contact the card issuer immediately.
Do alert your credit card issuing bank immediately if you suspect the transaction to be fraudulent and your credit card number has been compromised.
PUBLIC AFFAIRS DEPARTMENT
SINGAPORE POLICE FORCE
3 Feb 2004 @ 5.30 p.m.