Business · Singapore Bureau
Man arrested for using NFC device to steal card details at Mustafa Centre
A man has been arrested on suspicion of using a near-field communication device to harvest bank card information from unsuspecting shoppers at the popular retail complex. Investigators allege he concealed the scanning equipment in a bag and held it close to customers' pockets.
LSN Singapore ·
Police arrested the suspect following complaints from shoppers who discovered unauthorised transactions on their bank accounts after visiting Mustafa Centre, a major shopping destination in Singapore's Little India district.
According to investigators, the man allegedly used a bag containing an NFC-enabled device to read contactless payment card details from customers without their knowledge or consent. The scanning technique, known as skimming, exploits the wireless technology embedded in modern debit and credit cards.
The suspect would position the bag near shoppers' pockets and bags to intercept card data, police said. Contactless card readers can capture payment information from a distance of up to 10 centimetres, making the technique difficult for victims to detect in crowded retail environments.
Authorities are investigating the full extent of the alleged fraud and working to identify other potential victims. The case highlights growing concerns about contactless payment security in busy public spaces across Singapore.
Members of the public who suspect fraudulent activity on their accounts are urged to contact their banks and file reports with the police.