Malaysian trio used stolen card data to buy 23 phones in Singapore, resold them in Malaysia
A transnational credit card scam has landed a Malaysian man behind bars in Singapore after he helped two others purchase over S$45,000 worth of iPhones using stolen credit card details.
Coordinated iPhone Scam Spanning Borders
A 27-year-old Malaysian driver, Tang Chin Huat, was sentenced to 23 months in jail by a Singapore court on June 26, 2025, for his role in a credit card fraud operation that involved purchasing and reselling iPhones using stolen data. The scam resulted in the acquisition of 23 iPhones worth S$45,291 (approx. US$35,500), most of which were later resold in Malaysia.
Tang was roped into the scheme by childhood friend Ding Jiun Hao, who, along with an accomplice Liau Wei Zheng, allegedly worked under an unidentified syndicate leader known only as “Boss.” Liau remains at large, while Ding’s case is still pending in court.
Credit Card Details Stolen and Stored Digitally
According to court documents, Liau had been promised RM500 (S$151) for each phone sold by “Boss,” using stolen credit card data. These details were not physically present but delivered via mobile communication and stored in digital wallets, allowing payment through e-wallet scans at physical stores without detection.
On November 8, 2024, Tang drove Ding and Liau from Malaysia into Singapore, where they visited four mobile phone stores in locations including Orchard Road and Geylang. Eight different cardholders were affected in this fraud, which prosecutors described as “sophisticated and transnational.”
Suspicion Aroused at the Store
The scam began to unravel when one stoer employee grew suspicious after Liau tried to buy 13 iPhones in a single visit. The store withheld five devices and demanded passport verification. Rather than comply, Liau and Ding left the store and exited Singapore with 18 iPhones, later sold in Malaysia for profit.
Tang’s role was limited to driving and waiting in the vehicle during the purchases. For his part in the scheme, he received RM2,250 (approx. S$680). Authorities said Tang had made a S$2,000 restitution before sentencing.
Arrests and Surrender
Ding was arrested upon re-entering Singapore just two days later, on November 10, while Tang voluntarily surrendered to authorities on November 24 after learning from newspaper reports that he was wanted.
Deputy Public Prosecutor Ronnie Ang highlighted the use of digital wallets and real-time coordination with unknown criminals as elements that made this case difficult to detect. He called it a syndicated and technologically-enabled crime.
Broader Implications Across Borders
This case underscores the vulnerability of digital payment systems to cross-border syndicates and the ease with which stolen data can be exploited using mobile technology. For both Singaporean and Indonesian communities—where frequent travel and mobile purchases are common—it serves as a reminder to remain vigilant about cybersecurity and payment integrity.
As transnational fraud becomes increasingly digitized, coordination between regional authorities will be crucial to combat evolving threats that straddle national borders.
The conviction of Tang Chin Huat highlights the growing complexity and reach of transnational cyber-enabled crimes, where even low-level participants can play key roles in sophisticated scams. This case reveals how stolen credit card data, digital wallets, and coordinated cross-border movements can be weaponized for rapid financial gain. For Indonesians, Singaporeans, and other Southeast Asian citizens frequently engaged in travel or digital payments, it’s a stark warning to safeguard personal financial data and support stronger international cooperation in tackling such crimes.
Sources: Straits Times (2025) , CNA (2025)
Keywords: Credit Card Fraud, Mobile Phone Scam, Tang Chin Huat, Singapore Jail, Malaysia Syndicate, Cross-Border Crime
