The Police have arrested four persons, aged between 20 and 50, for their suspected involvement in perpetuating various scams such as Friend Impersonation Scam, Government Officials Impersonation Scam, Investment Scam, Lottery Scam, Job Scam and Loan Scam. They will be charged in court on 24 November 2023 for their suspected involvement in various offences connected to money mule activities, which include conspiring to commit cheating, abetting to secure unauthorised access to computer material, unauthorised disclosure of access code and assisting with unlicensed moneylending business.
The four persons were alleged to have sold their bank accounts or Singpass credentials to criminal syndicates. Two men, aged 33 and 50, had purportedly cheated the banks into opening bank accounts before handing over the ATM cards and iBanking credentials to the criminal syndicates. Both also allegedly provided their Singpass credentials to the criminal syndicates to open new bank accounts. The 50-year-old man, another man and woman, both aged 20 allegedly sold their Singpass credentials for amounts between $600 and $3000 to criminal syndicates to create new bank accounts.
For conspiring to cheat the banks into opening bank accounts, the offence under Section 417 read with Section 109 of the Penal Code 1871 carries an imprisonment term not exceeding three years, a fine, or both.
The offence of abetting to secure unauthorised access to the bank’s computer systemunder Section 3(1) read with Section 12 and Section 14 of the Computer Misuse Act 1993 carries a fine not exceeding $5,000, an imprisonment term not exceeding two years, or both, for a first-time offender.
The offence of disclosing Singpass credentials under Section 8(2)(a) of the Computer Misuse Act 1993 carries an imprisonment term not exceeding three years or a fine not exceeding $10,000, or both, for a first-time offender.
The offence of assisting with unlicensed moneylending business under Section 19(1)(b) of the Moneylenders Act 2008 carries a fine of not less than $30,000 and not more than $300,000, and with an imprisonment term not exceeding four years, for a first-time offender.
The Police take a serious view of these offences and will not hesitate to take action against individuals who may be involved in scams or unlicensed moneylending activities 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 money-making opportunities promising fast and easy pay-outs for the use of their Singpass accounts, bank accounts, or allow their personal bank accounts to be used to receive and transfer money for others. The Police would like to remind members of the public that individuals will be held accountable if they are found to be linked to such crimes.
For more information on scams, members of the public can visit www.scamalert.sg or call the Anti-Scam Helpline 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.
SINGAPORE POLICE FORCE
23 November 2023 @ 9:20 PM