Man and woman arrested after buying phones, cosmetics and shoes with credit cards he found

A 68-year-old man and a 51-year-old woman were arrested for using two found credit cards to make unauthorised transactions amounting to more than $8,700.

The police received two reports on Jan 30 and Feb 13 from a married couple who discovered that several unauthorised transactions had been made with their missing credit cards.

Through follow-up investigations, officers from the Commercial Affairs Department established the identity of the suspects and arrested them on Feb 22 and 23.

Preliminary investigations revealed that the man is believed to have found the victims’ credit cards and later used the two credit cards to make unauthorised transactions amounting to more than $6,400.

He handed one of the found credit cards to the woman who had allegedly used it to make unauthorised transactions amounting to more than $2,300.

Two mobile phones, mobile phone accessories, some cosmetic and footwear, which are believed to have been purchased with the credit cards, were found in their possession and seized as case exhibits.

The duo were charged in court on Feb 24 with abetment by conspiracy to cheat, which carries an imprisonment term of up to 10 years, and a fine.

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

• Keep your credit or debit cards safe with you at all times.
• Opt in for SMS notifications to be sent to your mobile phone for any charges incurred on your credit or debit cards.
• Check your bank statements and alert the bank immediately should there be any discrepancies or unauthorised charges.
• Don't give out your credit or debit card details to unknown persons.
• Don't reveal your One-Time Password to anyone.
• Don't expose your credit or debit cards. Keep them in your purse or wallet until you are ready to make your purchases.