Man jailed for using cloned ATM cards
By Leong Wai Kit | Posted: 04 October 2012 1443 hrs
SINGAPORE: A Malaysian man has been sentenced to six years' jail for using cloned cards to withdraw money at DBS automated teller machines (ATMs) in Singapore.
Chia Soon Lee, 49, withdrew cash fraudulently four times in Jurong on February 19.
The court heard that he withdrew a total of S$6,200 from three ATMs in Jurong Point Shopping Centre, Boon Lay Place and IMM Shopping Centre.
A day after he committed the offences, DBS said several customers had reported unauthorised cash withdrawals from their accounts.
Chia was caught on June 14 at Woodlands Checkpoint.
Investigations showed Chia was a member of a syndicate based in Malaysia.
He was recruited in February by a loan shark in Kuala Lumpur to clear his debts.
Chia's accomplices are still at large.
During sentencing on Thursday, Senior District Judge Liew Thiam Leng stressed the need to protect public users from such financial scams.
He added that the use of computer systems and equipment to pilfer money would affect the security of financial institutions.
For his offences, Chia could have been jailed up to 12 years and nine months, and fined.
- CNA/cc
