Man arrested for cheating elderly victims in ATM scam

Man arrested for cheating elderly victims in ATM scam

SINGAPORE - A 59-year-old man believed to be involved in a series of cheating cases targeting elderly victims has been arrested.

The victims, aged between 75 and 81, were approached by a man who offered to check their account balance at Automated Teller Machines (ATMs) on the pretext that some government agencies had credited funds into their bank accounts, a statement from the Singapore Police Force said on Wednesday (Oct 21).

The victims are then believed to have either provided their Personal Identification Number (PIN) or allowed the suspect to view their PINs.

They would then find their ATM cards swopped without their knowledge, and money amounting to over $10,000 withdrawn.

Police said they had received reports from several victims between June and October.

The suspect was arrested at Marsiling on Tuesday (Oct 20), and will be charged on Thursday (Oct 22).

If found guilty of cheating, he can be jailed for up to 10 years and fined.

For the offence of theft, he can be sentenced to three year's jail, or fined, or both.


This article was first published on October 21, 2015.
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