February 6, 2026
BANDAR SERI BEGAWAN – Two foreign men believed to have fled the country are being sought by the Royal Brunei Police Force (RBPF) in connection with a series of unauthorised ATM withdrawals linked to suspected card-cloning activities.
Police said at least 37 reports have been lodged by affected victims so far, with investigations indicating there may be more victims who have yet to come forward.
Preliminary findings revealed that the suspects allegedly installed card-cloning devices on ATM machines located at commercial premises around the Brunei-Muara District. Banking information harvested from the devices was then used to produce cloned ATM cards, which were used to withdraw money from ATMs at other locations.
The RBPF said the suspects are believed to have left Brunei after carrying out the illegal withdrawals.
Police are now conducting further investigations and working closely with local and international law enforcement agencies, as well as relevant banking institutions, to track down the suspects and dismantle the criminal network involved.
The RBPF urged the public to remain vigilant when conducting banking transactions, particularly when using ATM machines, and to regularly monitor their bank accounts for any unauthorised activity.
Among the preventive measures advised are checking ATM card readers and keypads for signs of tampering before use, being alert to suspicious attachments or hidden cameras, and avoiding machines that appear altered. Users are also reminded to shield the keypad when entering their PIN, review account statements regularly, activate transaction alerts, and change ATM PINs periodically.
Members of the public are advised to contact their bank immediately if suspicious or unauthorised transactions are detected.
The RBPF stressed that negligence can create opportunities for criminals to exploit, and called on the public to remain cautious and disciplined in safeguarding their financial security.
Any suspicious incidents or activities should be reported promptly to the nearest police station or via the 993 emergency hotline, and also brought to the attention of the respective bank and Brunei Darussalam Central Bank (BDCB) to enable swift action and prevent further losses.