A 37-year-old man in Singapore has been arrested after allegedly causing disruptions to multiple Automated Teller Machines (ATMs) across the island by inserting tissue paper into card slots, leading to service interruptions and repair works.
The case involved incidents reported between Apr. 27 and Apr. 29, 2026, when a bank alerted police to repeated ATM malfunctions linked to suspicious user activity.
Authorities later reviewed CCTV footage and identified a pattern involving the same individual at several locations.
CCTV Shows Alleged Method Used Across Multiple Locations
According to police, the man was seen on surveillance cameras placing a piece of tissue paper beneath his ATM card before inserting both into the machine’s card slot.
After withdrawing his card, the tissue reportedly remained lodged inside the slot, causing the machines to malfunction.
The affected ATMs were located in several high-traffic areas, including Battery Road, Chinatown, Tanjong Katong, Woodlands, Toa Payoh, Marina Bay and Paya Lebar.
Repair teams were subsequently deployed to restore normal operations at the impacted machines.
The disruption is believed to have temporarily affected ATM availability in some branches, prompting maintenance checks and rectification work.
Arrest Made After Police Investigation And CCTV Review
Following follow-up investigations, officers from the Central Police Division established the identity of the suspect through CCTV footage and internal checks.
The man was arrested on Apr. 30, 2026.
He is now set to be charged in court on May 2, 2026 for committing mischief that allegedly caused disruption to key banking services.
Under Singapore law, offences involving mischief that affects essential services can carry serious penalties, including imprisonment of up to ten years, a fine, or both.
Authorities have not disclosed the man’s motive behind the alleged actions.
Police Emphasise Seriousness Of Disrupting Essential Services
The incident has drawn attention due to the nature of the alleged offence, which involved repeated disruptions to essential banking infrastructure.
Police highlighted that tampering with ATMs can impact public access to financial services, especially in busy commercial and residential areas.
Banks are also expected to review security measures and monitoring systems following the case.
Investigations remain ongoing as authorities assess whether the suspect may have been involved in similar incidents beyond those currently identified.
The case serves as a reminder that interference with public financial systems is treated seriously under Singapore’s legal framework, particularly when it affects nationwide banking operations.