The Police have arrested 31 persons, aged between 17 and 67, for their suspected involvement in perpetrating various scams such as Government Officials Impersonation Scam (GOIS), internet love scams, malware phishing scams, rental scams and China Officials Impersonation Scam (COIS).
Preliminary investigations revealed that 19 persons allegedly sold or rented their bank accounts to criminal syndicates or assisted by carrying out bank transfers and withdrawals. Three persons are believed to have cheated the banks into opening bank accounts before handing over the ATM cards and Internet banking credentials to the criminal syndicates. Another nine persons allegedly sold their Singpass credentials to criminal syndicates to create new bank accounts.
All 31 persons will be charged in court on 22 March 2024 for their suspected involvement in various offences connected to money mule activities which include abetment to cheating, assisting another to retain benefits from criminal conduct, abetting unauthorised access to computer material, unauthorised disclosure of access code and carrying on an unlicensed business of providing payment service.
For conspiring to cheat the bank into opening the bank account, the offence under Section 417 read with Section 109 of the Penal Code 1871 carries an imprisonment term of up to three years, a fine, or both. For abetting unknown persons to secure unauthorised access to the bank’s computer system, the offence under Section 3(1) read with Section 12 and Section 14 of the Computer Misuse Act 1993 carries a fine of up to $5,000, an imprisonment term of up to two years, or both, for a first-time offender. The offence of assisting another to retain benefits from criminal conduct under Section 51(1)(a) of the Corruption, Drug Trafficking and Other Serious Crimes (Confiscation of Benefits) Act 1992 carries an imprisonment term of up to 10 years, a fine of up to $500,000, or both. The offence of unauthorised disclosure of access code under Section 8(2)(a) of the Computer Misuse Act 1993 carries an imprisonment term of up to three years, a fine, or both, for first-time offenders. The offence of carrying on an unlicensed business of providing payment service under Section 5(1) of the Payment Services Act 2019 carries a fine of up to $125,000, an imprisonment term of up to three years, or both.
The Police take a serious view of these offences and will not hesitate to take action against individuals 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 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 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.
Photos of the arrest ▼
SINGAPORE POLICE FORCE
21 March 2024 @ 7:10 PM