Search the Community

The two alleged Boston Marathon bombers, Tamerlan and Dzhokhar Tsarnaev, were tracked by the police with the help of Mercedes' factory fitted GPS system in the hijacked 2013 M-Class. Mercedes-Benz USA was asked to locate the SUV using the Stolen Vehicle Location Assistance function on the crossover's 'mbrace2' telematics system. The owner of the M-Class is a 26-year old man whose car was stolen at a petrol station. He informed the police that his car could be tracked by Mercedes' satellite system. Mercedes-Benz USA CEO, Steve Cannon, tweeted, "Just found out that our mbrace2 technology in the stolen Mercedes helped locate the Boston terrorists! Thanks to our amazing law enforcement." Mercedes-Benz USA spokeswoman, Donna Boland, confirmed that Mercedes turned on the tracking feature after authenticating the request. Lesson of the day - use a 'not-so-advanced' vehicle when committing a crime.

An ex-General Motors (GM) engineer, Du Shanshan and her husband, Yu Qin, were convicted of stealing trade secrets on hybrid car technology from their former company to help develop such vehicles in China. The 53-year old Du was found guilty of conspiracy to possess trade secrets without authorization and two counts of trade secrets. However, she was acquitted on wire fraud charges. The U.S claimed that Du copied GM's trade secrets and provided the documents to Yu. Prosecutors accused Yu of using the data to seek business ventures or employment with GM's competitors, including the Chinese automaker Chery Automobile. Yu was found guilty on all six counts and a seventh count, which is obstruction of justice. "These defendants stole trade secrets, which General Motors spent many years and millions of dollars to develop, to give an unfair advantage to a foreign competitor," US Attorney Barbara McQuade said after the verdict. "We hope that this prosecution will send a message that stealing proprietary information from an employer or competitor is a serious crime," McQuade added. The couple's attorneys said that the documents in question were not trade secrets, while GM declined to comment on the issue. The defendants face a maximum sentence of 10 years on each of the trade secrets counts. Yu could face a stiffer sentence on wire fraud and obstruction convictions. The trade secret counts, wire fraud and obstruction of justice carry a fine of US$250,000 each.

According to The National Insurance Crime Bureau (NICB) in the US, the Toyota Prius has a much lower theft rate than other cars and a much higher recovery rate. Only 1 in 606 2008-2010 Toyota Prius is reported to be stolen as compared to the average for all 2008-2010 models, in which 1 in 78 vehicles is reported stolen. The 'problem' is that the car-jackers want commonly used vehicle parts when they break the car apart.

http://www.ettoday.net/news/20121013/113988.htm saw in the taiwan news ... victim claimed that her Spider 360 was scratched becoz she was too pretty. you judge for yourself. best if you can find the video of the interview !!!!!!!

[extract] If you have friends or relatives in the US driving a 1994 version of the Honda Accord, you may wish to remind them to keep a close eye on their ride. The National Insurance Crime Bureau (NICB) released a report saying that this particular model year of Honda

Hospital/ Insurers not recovering compensatory costs from Ma Chi's (>S$3.4M) estate would be admission that crime in Singapore does indeed 'pay'. PS: written from layman POV cos I'm not a lawyer. Legally speaking, should Ma Chi's family really receive S$1.82Million compensation for causing fatal 'accident'? In regard of 'PRC Ferrari driver runs red light, involving taxi and motorcycle in fatal accident' [STOMP, 13May2012], it has been suggested if not proven that at the point of impact, the Ferrari driven (and owned) by Ma Chi was traveling at 140 (+/-30)kph ('Ferrari crash: Physics teacher calculates that sports car was speeding at 140km/h' [STOMP, 17May2012])/ [YouTube: ], far in excess of the 50kph speed limit typical of Singapore city roads, this in itself constitutes a serious and inexcusable traffic offense even if in defense, Ma Chi's legal team might deflect blame on the traffic lighting system for his fatal error in judgement. It could well also be argued that but for Ma Chi racing his Ferrari at such obscene speed and ignoring the traffic signals, the said accident would not have occurred. So was it indeed an 'accident' or an act of 'terrorism'- the act being actually an act of road terrorism. The reason for the necessity to use this odd classification of 'road terrorism' is due to the fact that from my perusal of the private car insurance [website] 'terms and conditions' [pdf] of NTUC income motor insurance (as an example of a typical car insurance company/contract), with " Page 4: GENERAL EXCLUSIONS> 1. Driving and Use> This Policy does not insure any accident, loss, damage, injury or liability where any motor vehicle in respect of which this Policy provides indemnity is:... © being driven by anyone whilst under the influence of intoxicating liquor or drugs or medication" being the nearest in application to the fatal 12May2012 Bugis junction accident- which in fact fails to excuse the insurer from compensating Ma Chi's estate S$1.8M goven that 'Police: PRC Ferrari driver Ma Chi (马驰) did not consume alcohol before accident' [TT, 17May2012]. According to 'State media defends PRC Ferrari driver Ma Chi: He is not a ‘heavy drinker’ and has applied for Singapore PR' [TT, 14May2012], “Mr Ma’s wife,.. told Wanbao .. the Ferrari was a $1.8 million limited edition car that he bought for his 30th birthday last year”- the compensation for death to the driver by NTUCincome is $20k, would the insurer be liable to compensate Ma Chi's estate $1.82M. That said, the 3rd party victims including the families of deceased taxi driver Mr Cheng Teck Hock and his passenger remain entitled to compensation according to NTUC of up to $5M in total. Ma Chi's passenger, "(Ms Wu Wei Wei) was seriously injured in the three-vehicle crash that has claimed the lives of three people so far" ('Ferrari Crash - Mystery Woman is pte "student" who moonlights at naughty KTV' [A1news, 16May2012]), again presupposing an insurer such as NTUC, would only be responsible for "SCOPE OF COVER> SECTION III – MEDICAL EXPENSES> We will pay you, .. or passenger up to S$300 for reasonable medical expenses incurred by each person who is injured whilst in the Insured Vehicle...", begs the question of who would eventually bear the costs of her hospitalization. It is thus my suggestion that perhaps either the insurer of the Ferrari note the loopholes in its insurance policy and if Ma Chi's family presses for compensation regarding damages to the Ferrari, press counter charges against Ma Chi for 'road terrorism' (flagrant disregard for the law) to dissociate itself from 1st party compensation and to reclaim compensation to 3rd parties such as the taxi driver and his passenger and other victims in the accident. “Mr Ma’s wife, known only as Madam He, told Wanbao that her husband had bought a $3 million condominium in the East Coast and a $400,000 BMW. The Ferrari was a $1.8 million limited edition car that he bought for his 30th birthday last year.” [TT, 14May2012]. The public hospital to which Ms Wu is warded should also seek guarantees of payment from Ma Chi's estate for her payment of her medical bills given that an insurer such as NTUC income might only wish to cover $300 of these expenses- using his the illegality of his driving speed and methods as reason to cover for the hospitalization cost incurred in treating his passenger. It would be travesty for Ma Chi's family to receive S$1.82M consequent to the accident as motor insurance should only cover genuine, unintentional 'accidents' and not Ma Chi's form of road terrorism (street racing and other criminal activities) for which all liabilities of the insurer ought be reclaimed from Ma Chi's estate- failure to do so would simple add to the insurers losses and predictably, an increase in premium for all other bonafide members since motor insurance is compulsory in Singapore. Ma Chi's disregarded the traffic rules and laws of Singapore and treated it like a gangland paradise. For this, the Ma Chi's estate (BOTH China AND Singapore) must IMMEDIATELY be frozen in lieu of claims by either the insurer or the public hospitals for the damage that Ma Chi caused in flagrant disregard of the law. Singapore's 'first class political leadership and judiciary', please do something about this, far too many times have foreigners on criminal charges gotten away scot free 'Kiwi bail jumper won’t return to S’pore to face charges' [YahooNews,30Dec2011], 'Two Romanian ‘foreign talents’ allowed to jump bail again' [TT, 18May2012]. PS: Pls note that I do NOT know who the insurer of Ma Chi's Ferrari is. Any reference to NTUC income insurance is only for the purpose of example since NTUC Car insurance seems to be a typical choice of Singaporeans from my anecdotal observation(s).

Several months back, I wrote about supercars left abandoned in two Middle Eastern countries. One of them is a Ferrari Enzo that has been impounded in a Dubai police impound lot. That particular Ferrari is still sitting in the same impound lot and it, together with other luxury cars, might have a better and brighter future. The authorities in Dubai have decided to auction off the Ferrari and 23 other luxury cars. Failed entrepreneurship was the reason why these cars were left behind but the best question to ask right now is; who is the person who did this? Apparently, the owner of the Ferrari Enzo is believed to be a British citizen who bought the car and then fled the country 20 months ago when he/she could not afford to pay the loan and traffic fines. Being in debt in the country is a crime and according to an official in Dubai

[extract] Getting buried in a hole is one of the strangest things to happen to a car especially if it is a rare classic. The car you see in the picture above is a Ferrari Dino 246 GT. It was discovered in a yard of a house in Los Angeles, USA in early 1978. How the car ends up in this manner is still a big mystery to many till today. An example of a Ferrari Dino 246 GT Pictures of this car have been in circulation for many years but many do not know the real story behind it. In 1978, a group of children were playing in the yard of a house in Los Angeles. The yard was muddy and, being children, they soon began digging into the soft soil. After a short while, just below the ground

According to 8 Days, Ch 5's latest drama Point of Entry showcasing the work of ICA (Immigration & Checkpoints Authority) Special agents in their fight against immigration offenders and smugglers of contrabands will be debuting on Ch 5 on 2 Dec 2010 (Thur) at 8pm. According to the information, the drama is based on real cases detected. Point of Entry Facebook 8 Days

fantastic documentary about singapore prisons http://video.xin.msn.com/watch/video/episode-4/1dkbh69up

16 years after his beloved 1969 Camaro was stolen, Edward Neeley located his long lost car by chance while searching the internet for a car to replace it. Neeley calls the fact he found the car, which he had first purchased 30 years ago at the age of 18, "divine intervention". Although it's great to hear a story about a stolen car being reunited with an owner that loved it, this story isn't without a downside. What Neeley called "divine intervention" would likely be given a different name by the Camaro's current owner Brent Dockery. Dockery purchased the car for $16,000 4 years ago on Ebay without having any knowledge that the car was stolen. Since then he has spent a considerable amount of money ($10,000), time and effort restoring the Camaro. Below is a picture of how the Camaro looks like currently. The two men are currently trying to reach an agreement regarding the parts and money Dockery put into the car while he had it. So far it has been difficult, but Dockery concedes that the car will return home after 16 long years once the men find a way to settle the matter. Neeley understandably is overjoyed at the impending return of his missing Camaro after such a long time. Dockery plans to track down the person he purchased the car from in an attempt to recoup some of his losses.

What good does it do, seriously? To me it is just some fancy paper exercise. Why don't they spent the time, energy and money to do something better? Like recruiting more folks, up the pay/benefits of existing POs, fighting crime with better means through technology? Last thing we want to hear is another innocent victim kena whacked till senseless but because it is a non-seizable offence the authorities will not take any action until a magistrate's complaint is filed and someone decides it warrants action? From CNA: http://www.channelnewsasia.com/stories/sin...1137565/1/.html Police to measure "the cost of crime" By Leong Wee Keat, TODAY | Posted: 28 June 2011 0613 hrs SINGAPORE: In what will be the first study of its kind here, the Singapore Police Force (SPF) will commission an academic study to calculate the cost of the different types of crime committed here. Modelled after a United Kingdom (UK) government research paper - The Economic and Social Costs of Crime - the study plans to use a "social cost approach" to measure the cost of crime in Singapore. In response to Today's queries, police spokesperson Choo Hong Xian said the study "would provide valuable insights into operational policy-making, resource reallocation and police's strategies to deliver the mission". The police release statistics on the overall crime situation here every six months but they relate usually to the number of cases, identifying key crime concerns and providing crime prevention advisories. According to tender documents released last week, the study aims to derive the annual total cost of crime last year and "a preceding period stipulated" by the police. The final report from the study is expected to be delivered to the SPF within four months of the award of the tender, which closes on July 18. Overall crime here fell by 0.6 per cent last year but the police highlighted three key crime concerns - cheating cases involving rental scams and phone scams, fighting youth crime and outrage of modesty cases. The study aims to calculate the costs incurred as a consequence of crime, which includes "monetary loss in traditional terms" and "monetising the loss of life and trauma suffered by victims". Costs of crime prevention and enforcement will also be tallied. The study seeks to find out costs borne by private entities - such as security expenditure and insurance - as well as costs borne by public bodies such as proactive police patrols in anticipation of crime. The police also intend to calculate the costs incurred in response to crime - investigating cases, apprehending suspects as well as the costs expended by the State in prosecuting, convicting and incarcerating suspects. Several Members of Parliament had previously raised concerns over police resources being stretched. During the Committee of Supply debate in March, then-Home Affairs Minister K Shanmugam pointed out that while police resources will be increased, "they are not limitless". While costs of crime prevention - such as installing alarm systems - and the State's response to crime could be measured, sociologist Paulin Straughan felt it might be "impossible" to measure the social costs of a spate of violence on a community. Social isolation and mistrust from these crimes would impact social capital on a community which would be difficult to estimate, she argued. However, the former Nominated Member of Parliament felt calculating the cost of crime would serve as "a reality check" for any society. "We live in a world that is driven by economics," Associate Professor Straughan said. "We can't understand or appreciate unless it is documented in dollars and cents. So, this is one way of documenting it (crime) in dollars and cents to show you that every burglary cost you this (amount)

how come no jailterm for this kind of crime ? fine is just sup sup sui for them as they make tons of $$$ from the said crime 78 similars charges considered ... that sums up everything. Dealer evaded GST by claiming phones were damaged By Elena Chong A BUSINESSMAN evaded $182,000 in goods and services tax (GST) by pretending the mobile phones he imported from China were damaged. . . . He was fined $212,000 yesterday after pleading guilty to 20 charges of incorrectly declaring mobile phone values, helping to obstruct customs officers and failing to retain trade documents. He faces 106 weeks' jail if he fails to pay the fine. . . . Yeo, who had 78 similar charges considered, could have been jailed for up to a year and/or fined on each charge. He could also have been fined up to $10,000 or the amount of duty and GST involved, whichever was greater.

A few days ago, my MSCP got 2 cars' IU got stolen. Winsreen got smashed. This type of crime is not new. But when it happen right at the same car park you park in and see it for yourself, the feeling is different. That trigger me to think, has anybody here tried to make your IU mobile ? Example : cut away the wire and make a simple connector. Everytime when you need to use, just plug it back ? Or, use external battery ? Must the IU be stick to the winscreen to work. Cant it just be placed on the deshboard ? I know those Msian car entering Spore can rent one. They are portable.

Will you pick up tokens, chips that someone had dropped on the floor, or left in the gaming machines of casino? Our natural response will be a big YES. Thats free money. But please pause a moment. This free money comes with a hefty price tag of theft. Casinos are well covered by CCTV cameras, and trained CCTV obervers. these are not ordinery car CCTV, they are HD quality mega pixel CCTV cameras. It is true, some people had been charged in court for picking up tokens, game credits that does not belong to them. So MCFers please remember, if its not yours, hand it to casino staff.

I thought crime prevention means to prevent criminal acts fm being commited. But 2day, SPF enlightened me on new meaning. I came back fm week end trip last nite. Reached home, saw a IOU pasted on my window wif IC belong to previous owner. (Shifted in couple of months ago) Went to n'hood police centre to lodge rpt. 1st thing officer asked me wat I want the report for? I was for a moment. Told him I wud like to paste rpt on my window to inform wud be aggressors dat previous owner no longer here. Then he said he tell me first dat even wif rpt, wl not prevent debt collectors fm painting my door. So I told him I still want to lodge rpt. As he was typing away on his pc, I asked him is it not a crime for people not to change address to current address? He said no. Then I asked him if they wl try to find where the bustard is and all dat. He said as long as no criminal acts committed, they wl not initiate investigation, dis rpt is for record purposes only. I was thinking to myself, like dat if my family's safety is compromised then they wl investigate? Cukoo rite. Some more can tell if recieved govt letter meant for previous owner, I shud pass it to ICA. I was like u think I so free to be delivery boy? Then I asked him if ICA wl go look for him? He said he doesn't know the current procedure on dat. After having signed the rpt, the bugger can still tell me if anything happens to my property or I encounter problems, just give them a call. I was thinking to myself I wud rather keep a baseball bat handy since they won't do anything if a fight ensues. Good thing it was a licensed money lender with name card. Met up wif the tao gor and straightened things out.

拍淹水照片　《联合晚报》主任被上手铐扣留1小时 吴庆顺（左）的右手在手铐铐解后还留下红色印记；右图为铐上记者手铐的执勤警员。 为了拍一张照片，《联合晚报》资深摄影主任竟然被当成犯人般铐上手铐！ 全岛今天凌晨一场豪雨，导致多个地区淹水。《联合晚报》摄影主任吴庆顺，赶往受影响地方拍摄时，在武吉知马路上段，申诉被警员被铐上手铐，在场扣留了一个小时，不获准离开。 武吉知马路上段今早淹水，有车辆被冲上路堤，吴庆顺早上7时许到场拍下现场情形。他为了取得更好的角度，上前要拍摄其中一辆受困水中的车子时，被一名警员阻拦。 吴庆顺说，警员叫他走开，他礼貌要求再拍一张照片，谁知话刚说完，警员已经将手铐掏出来，将他的右手牢牢铐起，还说要带他到警署。 吴庆顺说：

THE first man to be investigated by the Casino Crime Investigation Branch for casino-related crimes was brought to court on Wednesday. Loo Siew Nan, 53, is accused of five offences of attempted cheating, cheating by personation, theft and giving false information to the police. He allegedly tried to cheat a casino dealer at Resorts World Sentosa Casino's baccarat table by placing a bet of two $100 chips on the 'banker' after the result of the game had been declared. He allegedly did this on Monday with the intention of deceiving the dealer into believing that he had a winning bet and tried to induce the dealer to give him a payout of chips worth $190. He had allegedly earlier gained entry into the casino by posing as one Loh Siow Kok - who is his brother - by producing the latter's Singapore driving licence. He is also charged with giving false information to a senior station inspector by giving him an original driving licence bearing Loh's name when asked for his identity at about 2.10am on Tuesday. He is said to have stolen Mr Loh's driving licence at a coffeeshop along Bedok Reservoir Road at about 6.30pm on Sunday, and four hours later, posed as Mr Loh to get into the casino. The prosecution asked for a two-week adjournment to complete investigation. Bail of $15,000 was offered. Loo's next appearance is on March 9. source http://www.straitstimes.com/BreakingNews/S...ory_494392.html

AN INDONESIAN man who lost all his money at the Resorts World Sentosa casino stole a mobile phone from an undergraduate at Changi Airport. Paulus Djohar, 49, unemployed, was jailed for four weeks on Wednesday after pleading guilty to stealing a $500 phone from Ms Lim Tse Min at Terminal 1 on Tuesday. A court heard that he came here from Malaysia last Tuesday with the intention of patronising the newly-opened casino at RWS. As he lost all his money gambling at the casino on Monday, the second day of its opening, he decided to steal from passengers at Changi Airport. Early on Tuesday morning, Djohar was at the airport when he approached Ms Lim, who was with a group sending a friend off. One of them in the group saw his suspicious movements and alerted Ms Lim, who discovered the phone gone from the side pocket of her backpack. She and the witness confronted Djohar. Djohar, who said he regretted what he had done, could have been jailed for up to three years and/or fined. http://www.straitstimes.com/BreakingNews/S...ory_491285.html

Hi all, started going to explore JB over last couple of mths. Sometimes when buying things, storeowner would warn us that times are bad so we from sg do be more careful. Even herself a msian is worried. She was saying as much as the criminals may not be malaysian always, it has made the place much worse. then couple of wkend ago over BBQ chatting with neighbour's BIL and heard he was there with family, once guy casually tap his window to wind down, he dumb wind down then the guy jus stick a knife at his throat demanding money. then more of his gang walked towards the car. everyone immobilized for fear of the driver's safety. so given the mkt downturn, and with success "stories" of easy money in JB by the criminals, i do worry if i am penny wise pound foolish by going into JB. Hope to do a poll to gather if u or someone you know do know of these true stories. Edit remarks: Hey my bad. Thx for the suggestion. Accidentally skew the results.

Dear Community Partners, CRIME ALERT: USE OF COUNTERFEIT MONEY AS MODE OF PAYMENT (FOR YOUR INFORMATION) Police has recently received reports of unknown person using counterfeit money as mode of payment. To date more than 30 cases were reported and as we approach the period of festive sales, we would like to reiterate the importance for being vigilant. Modus Operandi Please take note that the culprit will normally use a fake currency note of S$50/- note (commonly bearing the serial number: 2EY322725) at pubs, restaurants, petrol kiosks, convenient stores and 4D outlets for purchases. The scam can also take in other forms ie culprit may also seek assistance in changing loose notes using counterfeit money, on the pretext of urgent need,. Crime Prevention Measures Public and sole proprietors should remain alert and pay extra attention when customers pay for purchases using higher denominations of cash, e.g. S$50/-. Below are a few measures which can assist public to identify counterfeit notes and prevent you from falling victim to a similar ruse. What to look out for? 1. Counterfeit Notes using serial number: 2EY322725; 2. Poor quality paper that has a waxy surface without the following intaglio: a. No raised printing; b. No shimmering effect on the kinegrams; c. No Security Thread; and 3. Although the counterfeit note simulated the outline of the watermark, but it does not have three-dimensional portrait of the late President Yusof Bin Ishak when examined under light. What you can do when you receive such notes? 1. When presented with the counterfeit note, do not return the suspected note to the suspect; 2. Delay and keep the suspect at sight and if possible contact the police immediately; 3. Take note of the description of the culprit, eg gender, age, height, built, attire, scars/tattoos, accent of language or any distinct features; 4. Note the suspect(s)

saw the latest crime watch and @ the ending part, they show footage of accident from capture on LTA camera. one scene show tat a group of accident car park @ the expressway shoulder and another bus stop further down the road with hazard lights on ... then this motorcyclist, typical singaporean, with his head turn kpo-ing on the accident and didnt notice the bus ahead, slam head on to the rear of the bus and flung off from the bike laying motionless on the road ... sigh ... hope this video is a wakeup call for all these idiot

Came across the following thread and am wondering what's the charge and penalty like if the fella is caught.. http://www.echoloft.com/cgi-bin/buysell2/Y...&num=1222253515 Btw.. i'm neither the fella who lost the phone nor the fella in the pic...

Was thinking this may be a good place to migrate to. Anyone can confirm if the crime rate really up and targetting Asians?