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The Police have arrested 20 men and seven women, aged between 17 and 61, for their suspected involvement in penetrating various scams such as Government Officials Impersonation Scam (GOIS), Bank Officer Impersonation Scam (BOIS), Friend Impersonation Scam (FIS), Job Scam, E-Commerce Scam, Investment Scam and malware-enabled phishing scam, accounting for more than $4.5 million in losses. They will be charged in court from 1 to 3 September 2025 for offences connected to scams-related money mule activities, which include abetment to cheating, assisting another to retain benefits from criminal conduct, abetting unauthorised access to computer material and unlawful disclosure of password or access code in relation to the national digital identity service.

Investigations revealed that 26 individuals had allegedly relinquished or sold their bank accounts and/or Singpass credentials and enabled criminal syndicates to commit money laundering. Some allegedly cheated the banks into opening bank accounts and handed over their iBanking credentials to unknown persons. Others had allegedly disclosed their Singpass credentials unlawfully and thereby enabled criminal syndicates to misuse their identities in the opening of bank accounts. One individual also assisted criminal syndicates to make ATM cash withdrawals from several bank accounts.

The offence of assisting another to retain benefits from criminal conduct under Section 55A(5) of the Corruption, Drug Trafficking and Other Serious Crimes (Confiscation of Benefits) Act 1992 carries an imprisonment term of up to three years, a fine or both. The offence of cheating under Section 417 of the Penal Code 1871 carries an imprisonment term of up to three years, a fine or both. The offence of facilitating unauthorised access to computer material under Section 3(1) of the Computer Misuse Act 1993 carries an imprisonment term of up to two years, a fine or both, for a first conviction. The offence of unlawful disclosure of password or access code in relation to the national digital identity service under Section 8A(1) of the Computer Misuse Act 1993 carries an imprisonment term of up to three years, a fine 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 sternly 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. 

Photos of the Arrests