SINGAPORE – A Chinese national who bought about $10,000 worth of Universal Studios Singapore (USS) tickets using debit and credit card details that he suspected were illegally obtained was sentenced to 24 months’ jail on Nov 29.

Hong Zepeng, 30, pleaded guilty to nine charges of cheating by conspiracy, and one over the obstruction of the course of justice.

Another 25 charges related to cheating were taken into consideration during his sentencing.

Deputy Public Prosecutor Gladys Lim called for a sentence of between 24 and 30 months’ jail, noting that this case follows a recently reported trend of syndicates sending foreigners into Singapore to commit property offences with stolen card details.

She added that there was clear evidence of premeditation and planning, and that the offence was relatively sophisticated. Hong had used an unknown app that allowed him to communicate with syndicate members and make contactless payment with the cards.

DPP Lim said Hong was recruited by a man known only as Boss, whom he befriended via the Chinese social media app Douyin.

The individual, whom Hong had never met in person, was recruiting people to go overseas to purchase items.

As part of his job, Hong flew to Thailand on Oct 3 and met an agent whom he believed is a Chinese citizen.

She taught him how to use an app that he had been asked to download.

The agent also introduced him to three or more other people, believed to be Chinese citizens, who were doing the same job.

Hong was instructed by his recruiter t...