S'pore police arrest Brazilian man, 34, for using 15 suspected cloned ATM cards to withdraw cash

The police have arrested a 34-year-old Brazilian man for suspected possession of cloned ATM (automated teller machine) cards.

On Nov. 10, the police received a report of an individual using suspicious cards to make cash withdrawals from an ATM.

The individual was identified and arrested within nine hours of receiving the report.

Preliminary investigations revealed that the man allegedly attempted to use 15 suspected cloned ATM cards to make cash withdrawals.

Cash amounting to over S$2,000, 66 suspected cloned ATM cards, and a mobile phone were seized from the man as case exhibits.

The man is slated to be charged in court on Nov. 12 with the offence of unauthorised access to computer material.

The offence carries a jail term of up to two years, a fine of up to S$5,000, or both.

Advisory

The police said they take a serious view of any persons who may be involved in the production and possession of cloned payment cards, and perpetrators will be dealt with in accordance with the law.

Members of the public are also advised to be prudent when making online payments using their card details, to only visit reliable websites for online shopping, to safeguard their card details and not to disclose sensitive banking information with anyone.

If credit or debit cards are lost or stolen, members of the public should immediately call their card-issuing banks.

Members of the public are also encouraged not to expose their credit or debit cards, to opt in for SMS notifications for any charges incurred on credit or debit cards, and not click on URL links in unsolicited emails and text messages, as well as not give out credit or debit card details to unknown persons.

Top photos via SPF