A Singaporean man who had been on the run for years has finally been brought back to face justice after a dramatic series of arrests and escapes across borders.
Singaporean accused of hacking FairPrice and Zalora accounts
The Singapore Police Force (SPF) confirmed the arrest of 34-year-old Ong Jian Zhen, who allegedly hacked into NTUC FairPrice and Zalora accounts to carry out at least S$25,000 worth of fraudulent purchases. According to investigations, Ong was not working alone, but had allegedly conspired with at least six others to carry out the cybercrimes.
His run-ins with the law began much earlier. Ong was first charged in Singapore on 8 October 2021 for a separate offence but skipped bail and failed to attend subsequent court hearings. A warrant of arrest was issued against him in September 2022.
Arrested and jailed in Thailand before deportation
In October 2022, Ong was arrested in Thailand for entering the country using a fake passport. However, he once again absconded while on bail. Thai authorities later tracked him down to a condominium in Bangkok in January 2023, where he was caught together with a 28-year-old Thai woman. Police discovered drugs including crystal methamphetamine, ketamine and Erimin 5 in the unit, alongside an electronic scale and multiple bank accounts.
Both were charged with drug offences, and Ong was later sentenced to prison in Thailand for immigration and narcotics violations. He was released on 30 July 2025 but remained detained in an immigration centre until his deportation to Singapore on 25 August 2025.
Faces hacking charges in Singapore
Upon his arrival at Changi Airport, Ong was immediately arrested by SPF officers. He is set to be charged in court for unauthorised access to computer material under Section 3(1) of the Computer Misuse Act 1993. If convicted, he faces up to two years’ imprisonment, a fine of up to S$5,000, or both.
Assistant Commissioner of Police Paul Tay warned that criminals cannot hide indefinitely, emphasising that SPF works closely with overseas law enforcement partners to ensure fugitives are held accountable. His statement was clear: those who think they can evade justice will eventually be caught.
This case highlights the growing challenge of cybercrime in Singapore, where hackers continue to target e-commerce and online retail platforms. It also underscores the importance of cross-border cooperation in tackling transnational crimes, especially when suspects exploit multiple jurisdictions to avoid prosecution.