The Singapore Police Force (SPF) said in a news release earlier today (August 16) that 8 people have been arrested on suspicion of fraudulently registering prepaid SIM cards which may be used by criminals for anonymous communications on illicit activities.
Seven men ane one woman, aged between 19 and 55, were arrested after police conducted raids on 16 mobile phone shops at Ang Mo Kio, Woodlands, Little India, City Hall, Ubi, Orchard and Changi.
They were arrested for their “suspected involvement in fraudulently registering prepaid SIM cards using the particulars of unsuspecting customers or foreigners who have not entered Singapore”.
Another 13 people consisting of 9 men and 4 women, aged between and 60, are currently assisting with investigations.
The mobile phone retailers purportedly abused the computer systems that held registration information for prepaid SIM cards, they then use the particulars of others to pre-register the SIM cards and sell them to customers who wants to remain anonymous.
The police also seized computer terminal devices, desktops, laptops, printers, mobile phones, invoices, photocopied passports, SIM cards and relevant documents during the raid(s).
Those found guilty of unauthorised modification of computer material could be fined up to three years, fined up to S$10,000 or both.