A joint operation between the Immigration & Checkpoints Authority (ICA) and Commercial Affairs Department (CAD) yielded positive results as 7 Sri Lankan Nationals were apprehended with 18 counterfeit credit cards and a card printer in their hotel room. Alongside, stacks of transaction receipts were also discovered which revealed numerous purchases had been made using the counterfeit credit cards.

2 It all began with information received by ICA on the intricate arrangements made by a group of Sri Lankan nationals who are suspected to be entering Singapore for a shopping spree using counterfeit credit cards. Thereafter, ICA officers gathered further information on the movement of these foreigners and managed to track down where they were putting up in Singapore.

3 The combined forces from ICA and CAD moved into the targeted hotel room on 18 Nov 08, at about 2030 hrs. The 4 Sri Lankan occupants were immediately placed under arrest and found, within the hotel room, the following peripherals:

a. 1 x card printer;
b. 1 x laptop;
c. 8 x counterfeit credit cards; and
d. transaction receipts (payment made using counterfeit credit cards)
e. Stolen properties worth about $20,000 which were believed to have been purchased using the counterfeit credit cards.



All the exhibits seized




4 Having established the unlawful activities by the Sri Lankans, officers staking out within the vicinity sighted 3 other Sri Lankans suspects returning to their hotel rooms and immediately moved in to detain them. Another 10 counterfeit credit cards were found in the possession of 2 of the suspects. Police investigations into the case are ongoing.

5 A person convicted of possessing counterfeit credit cards may be imprisoned up to 15 years or be liable to a fine or both. The punishment for committing cheating is a jail term of up to 10 years, or a fine, or both.

6 The Singapore Police Force works very closely with strategic partners, such as the financial institutions, merchants and other enforcement agencies to tackle payment card fraud. According to the payment card industry, Singapore remains one of the countries with the lowest credit card fraud in South East Asia.

ICA takes a serious view against offenders

7 ICA notes that the vast majority of foreigners do not abuse the immigration facilities issued to them by getting involved in illegal activities. Nonetheless, ICA takes a serious view of such abuses. We will not hesitate to take action against them. Any foreigner found to be involved in illegal activities while in Singapore will be dealt with accordingly. ICA would subsequently repatriate and ban them from re-entering Singapore.


END OF NEWS RELEASE

Immigration & Checkpoints Authority
Singapore Police Force
19 Nov 2008