SINGAPORE - The police raided at least two mobile phone shops in Sim Lim Square on Thursday.

Plainclothes officers started the raid at around 12.30pm, and the operation was still ongoing as of 3.20pm.

The first shop they raided is located on the first floor of the electronics mall, which has gained notoriety for errant retailers. It is registered as Mobile Apps, though its black signboard bore the words De.Mac Gadget Pte Ltd.

According to the Consumers Association of Singapore, Mobile Apps received nine complaints between July and September.

The shop's shutters remained shut during the sting, though officers ushered two different men in and out. At about 2.30pm, officers took away several cardboard boxes from the shop.

Thereafter at about 2.53pm, two shop assistants - dressed in an orange checked shirt and a purple shirt respectively - covered their faces and ran in two different directions.

A man who appeared to be in his 50s left the shop at around 3pm. When approached, he said he is a sub-tenant in charge of cameras, not the mobile phones.

Police officers then proceeded to raid a shop on the second floor of the mall.