A 19-year-old man will be charged in court on 10 March 2023 for his suspected involvement in knowingly disclosing his bank account details to another person. His bank account was later used to launder proceeds of crime by scam syndicates.
In May 2022, the man responded to a Telegram message which offered him cash loan in exchange for his bank account details. He later opened a UOB account and allegedly relinquished his internetbanking login credentials to an unknown person on Telegram. After he allegedly handed over his internet-banking login credentials, scam syndicates used his UOB bank account to launder proceeds of crime amounting to more than $249,000.
For conspiring to cheat the bank into opening a bank account, the man will be charged in court under Section 417 read with Section 109 of the Penal Code 1871. If convicted, he will be liable to an imprisonment term not exceeding three years, a fine, or both. For abetting unknown person to secure unauthorised access to the bank’s computer system, he will be charged under Section 3(1) read with Section 12 and Section 14 of the Computer Misuse Act 1993. If convicted, he will be liable to an imprisonment term not exceeding two years, or a fine of up to $5,000, or both.
The Police take a serious stance against any person who may be involved in scams, and perpetrators will be dealt with in accordance with the law. To avoid being an accomplice in these crimes, members of the public should always reject seemingly attractive easy cash loan and money-making opportunities promising fast and easy pay-outs for the use of their SingPass accounts, bank accounts or for allowing their personal accounts to be used to receive and transfer money for others. Remember that you will be held accountable if these are linked to crimes.
For more information on scams, members of the public can visit www.scamalert.sg or call the Anti-Scam Hotline at 1800-722-6688. Anyone with information on such scams may call the Police Hotline at 1800-255-0000 or submit information online at www.police.gov.sg/iwitness. All information will be kept strictly confidential.
Members of the public can ACT to better protect themselves and their loved ones from scams by adopting 3 key actions (Add, Check, Tell):
- ADD Scamshield App and security features (e.g., enable two-factor (2FA) or multifactor authentication for banks, social media, Singpass accounts)
- CHECK for scam signs and with official sources (e.g., visit www.scamalert.sg or call the anti-scam hotline on 1800-722-6688)
- TELL authorities, family and friends about scams
Fighting scams is a community effort. Together, we can ACT Against Scams to safeguard our community!
SINGAPORE POLICE FORCE
09 March 2023 @ 8:20 PM