Following a two-week enforcement operation conducted between 29 August and 11 September 2020 by officers from the Commercial Affairs Department and the seven Police land divisions, 163 men and 98 women, aged between 15 and 83, are currently assisting with investigations for their suspected involvement in scams as scammers or money mules. The suspects are believed to be involved in 544 cases of scams, comprising mainly of internet love scams, e-commerce scams and loan scams, which victims purportedly lost more than $3 million.
The suspects are being investigated for the offence of cheating or money laundering. The offence of cheating under section 420 of the Penal Code carries an imprisonment term of up to 10 years and a fine. The offence of money laundering under the Corruption, Drug Trafficking and Other Serious Crimes (Confiscation of Benefits) Act carries an imprisonment term of up to 10 years and a fine of up to $500,000.
The Police take a serious view against any person who may be involved in scams, and perpetrators will be dealt with in accordance to the law. To avoid being an accomplice to crimes, members of the public should always reject requests by others to use your bank account or mobile lines as you will be held accountable if these are linked to illegal transactions.
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.
SINGAPORE POLICE FORCE
12 September 2020 @ 12:50 PM