23-year-old man arrested for using theft victim's missing credit cards to go on $1.6k shopping spree

A 23-year-old man was arrested on Wednesday (Jan 15) for allegedly using a woman's missing credit cards to make unauthorised top-up transactions and retail purchases.

On Jan 10, the police received a report from a woman whose belongings had been stolen and how there had been several unauthorised transactions made with her missing credit cards.

Through investigations, officers from the Commercial Affairs Department and Airport Police Division established the identity of the man and arrested him.

"Preliminary investigations revealed that the man is believed to have found the victim’s credit cards and used them to make unauthorised transactions to top up stored valued cards and for retail purchases amounting to more than $1,600," said the police on Thursday.

"Three credit cards which belonged to the victim, a haversack, a facemask, some apparels, several stored valued cards and cash amounting to $100 were seized as case exhibits."

The man will be charged in court on Friday.

Any person who is convicted for dishonest misappropriation of property will be punished with a jail term of up to two years and/or a fine.

Any person found guilty of cheating will be punished with a jail term of up to 10 years and a fine.

In their statement, the police also reminded members of the public that the unauthorised use of another person’s credit/debit card is a serious offence.

All credit/debit card holders are advised to call their card-issuing banks immediately if their cards are lost or stolen, and to adopt the following crime prevention measures:

• Opt for an SMS notification to be sent to your mobile phone for any charges incurred on your credit/ debit card; and

• Check bank statements and alert the bank immediately should there be any discrepancies or fraudulent charges.