Singapore Police Warn Ledger Hardware Wallets Sold by Local Retailers Were Tampered

TLDR:

• Singapore police reported at least two cases since September 10, with losses of about S$3.5 million.
• Some Ledger wallets bought from Singapore retailers held malicious parts that could capture private keys.
• Ledger is reviewing the affected cases, and police investigations into the tampering are still ongoing.
• Police urge users of suspected devices to stop transacting and move assets to a new, trusted wallet.

Ledger hardware wallets sold at some Singapore retailers contained malicious components, according to the Singapore Police Force (SPF).

The police made the announcement on October 28. The components could capture recovery phrases or private keys from users. At least two cases have been reported since September 10, 2026.

Total losses amount to about S$3.5 million, or roughly $2.7 million. Ledger, the French wallet manufacturer, is reviewing the affected cases, while police investigations remain ongoing.

Details of the Tampered Wallet Cases

The SPF said preliminary investigations traced the affected Ledger hardware wallets to some retail stores in Singapore. In its advisory, the police stated that the wallets “contained malicious hardware components.”

These parts could record users’ recovery phrases or private keys. As a result, the devices were no longer safe for storing digital assets.

Singapore Police Say Ledger crypto Wallets Sold at Local Retailers Contained Malicious Hardware Implants

Singapore police said on October 28 that some Ledger cryptocurrency hardware wallets purchased from local retailers contained malicious hardware implants capable of stealing… pic.twitter.com/RckYdTzFMq

— Wu Blockchain (@WuBlockchain) October 29, 2026

Unauthorised persons could use the captured information to access the wallets. They could then transfer assets without the owners’ knowledge or consent.

Such access would not require the owner’s involvement. The police confirmed that the reported cases account for losses of about S$3.5 million.

Since September 10, 2026, the police have received at least two reports. According to the advisory, the SPF is “in contact with Ledger, which is reviewing the affected cases.” The police described their findings as preliminary. Investigations are continuing.

Ledger is a leading French hardware wallet manufacturer. The police did not name the retail stores involved. They also did not describe how the components were added to the devices. The advisory did not mention any arrests.

Police Advice for Crypto Holders

The SPF urged the public to be cautious when holding or transacting cryptocurrencies. Users should check official advisories from their hardware wallet providers for current guidance. The SPF listed these precautions for owners of Ledger hardware wallets and other crypto holders.

Users should also “avoid holding cryptocurrencies in devices suspected to be tampered with,” the police said. They should refrain from entering recovery phrases or making further transactions on such devices.

The police also said users should take appropriate steps to safeguard their holdings. Instead, they can contact their wallet provider through official support channels.

Users who suspect their Ledger hardware wallets are compromised have another step available. The police said they should consider moving remaining assets to a new, trusted wallet. That wallet should use a newly generated recovery phrase on an uncompromised device.

The SPF also gave a direct warning on sharing credentials. “Never disclose your private keys, recovery or seed phrases,” the advisory states.

This applies to anyone, including people claiming to represent wallet providers, exchanges or law enforcement agencies. Additionally, the police urged users to “be wary of unsolicited messages offering wallet verification or recovery assistance.”