In a 3-day operation conducted between 24 and 26 May 2016, officers from Central Division rounded up 10 men and 12 women, aged between 24 and 50, for their suspected involvement in 56 cases of online scams amounting to more than $220,000.
Most of the suspects are believed to have acted as “money mules” who received and transferred illegal funds on behalf of criminal syndicates. Other suspects are believed to have posed as online sellers of various products and did not deliver the products to their buyers upon receiving payment.
All of the suspects will be investigated for the offence of Cheating under Section 420 of the Penal Code, Chapter 224 which carries a punishment of imprisonment for up to 10 years and a fine, or money laundering offences under the Corruption, Drug Trafficking and Other Serious Crimes (Confiscation of Benefits) Act, which carry a punishment of imprisonment for up to 10 years and a fine of up to S$500,000.
Members of public should be vigilant when engaging in any form of online activity on the Internet and on social media applications as well as when they are shopping on online platforms. To avoid becoming a scam victim or being used as a “money mule”: -
-
Be wary of strangers who befriend you online. Think twice if such online “friends” ask you for money or ask you to receive money for them, as these funds may be from illegal sources.
-
Never give your bank and credit card details and personal information to anyone you do not know or have not checked out.
-
If you are purchasing something online, always check the track record of the party you are dealing with. Use reputable sites and payment platforms with established refund policies.
SINGAPORE POLICE FORCE
27 May 2016 @ 2:45 PM