A 29-year-old Chinese national, Zhang Tianyu, was sentenced to 30 months’ imprisonment in Singapore after pleading guilty to cheating and acquiring property derived from criminal conduct linked to a cross-border credit card scam. The scam involved stolen credit card data used to purchase mobile phones valued at over S$40,000 at multiple electronics retailers across the island.
Zhang was recruited in November 2024 by an acquaintance, Zhao Yongzhi, who promised him a monthly salary of 15,000 yuan (around S$2,600) and brought him to Singapore. Once in the country, Zhang was given a phone equipped with an app that allowed stolen credit card details to be remotely added for use in contactless payments. Over the course of three days, Zhang bought 20 iPhone 16 devices from various outlets including iStudio at Bugis Junction, Best Denki at Funan and Plaza Singapura, and Challenger at Plaza Singapura. Afterward, Zhang and Zhao sold the phones to an unknown buyer, receiving S$22,500 in cash.
Deputy Public Prosecutor Nicole Teo described the case as part of a sophisticated transnational criminal enterprise. The prosecution sought a jail term of 36 to 40 months, while Zhang’s defense counsel argued for a lighter sentence, noting Zhang had no prior knowledge of the fraud and had initially wanted to withdraw from the scheme. Zhang reportedly never received the salary he was promised.
Zhao Yongzhi, who facilitated Zhang’s involvement, was charged in June 2025 with similar offenses and remains under investigation. Two other Chinese nationals involved with the syndicate, Li Xueqi and Xu Zhaochen, had pleaded guilty earlier and received shorter sentences after withdrawing from the scam.
The Singapore Police Force has warned about the increasing presence of foreign syndicates using stolen credit card data and contactless payments to defraud large retailers. Retailers have been advised to watch for suspicious transaction patterns, including multiple payment attempts using different cards or phones.
In 2024, phishing scams accounted for 8,552 cases in Singapore, causing losses of $59.4 million and ranking as the country’s third most common scam. Under Singapore law, cheating and acquiring property from criminal conduct carry penalties of up to 10 years’ imprisonment and substantial fines.
