The Commercial Affairs Department (CAD) of the Singapore Police Force and the Commercial Crime Investigation Department (CCID) of the Royal Malaysia Police have jointly smashed an Internet Love Scam syndicate targeting victims from both sides of the Causeway.
Since February 2017, the two departments have shared critical intelligence based on findings from Internet Love Scams reported in both countries. In such scams, fraudsters would cultivate online relationships with victims, and then ask for monies from the victims to pay fines and fees after falsely claiming that they were detained by government authorities. In most cases, the fraudsters posed as successful or attractive individuals.
From the information gathered, the departments identified several persons of interest, who are believed to be responsible for at least 7 cases reported in Singapore and 25 cases reported in Malaysia. Victims lost approximately S$ 245,000 (or RM 750,000) in these cases.
In an operation held from 6 September 2017 to 7 September 2017, CCID officers arrested 11 suspects, including 10 Africans in Kuala Lumpur. In Singapore, CAD officers simultaneously arrested 3 Singaporean men for assisting to transfer the syndicate’s benefits from the criminal conduct.
Director CAD, Mr David Chew said, “This is yet another testament to the strong bonds between CAD and CCID. Both departments share a common resolve to ensure that transnational fraudsters do not get away with hiding behind the internet to commit crimes. We are grateful to Director CCID, Dato’ Sri Acryl Sani Abdullah Sani and his officers for their strong support in this joint investigation.”
SINGAPORE POLICE FORCE
11 September 2017 @ 6:40 PM