Men allegedly linked to overseas crime syndicate arrested for using stolen card data in high-end shopping spree

Two men from Taiwan have been formally charged with multiple counts of fraud after allegedly using stolen credit card information to make purchases at luxury retailers across Singapore.

Lu Min-Da, aged 25, and 27-year-old Lu You-Ting, were apprehended on 2 April after visiting a Louis Vuitton outlet at Marina Bay Sands. The pair reportedly bought a belt and a pair of shoes worth a combined $2,575 using a Mastercard tied to illicitly obtained card data.

Court documents suggest that this was not an isolated incident. The accused are believed to have used contactless payment methods linked to stolen card details at various high-end stores, acquiring numerous items before their arrest.

Authorities were alerted after a suspicious card transaction was detected at Marina Bay Sands and another at Ngee Ann City. Swift action by the police, aided by CCTV footage, led to the men’s arrest on the same day.

Recovered from the duo were several items, including mobile phones, handbags, wallets, footwear and earrings – all allegedly purchased with fraudulent payment methods. The goods have since been seized by the police as evidence.

Initial investigations indicate that the suspects arrived in Singapore on 1 April and may be connected to an international criminal syndicate. The men are believed to have targeted multiple retailers using a consistent method of deception.

A second court session is scheduled for 11 April as investigations continue.