The Police have arrested five persons, aged between 24 and 30, for their suspected involvement in a case of Government Official Impersonation Scam (“GOIS”).
On 3 June 2025, the Police received a report from a 68-year-old man who had fallen victim to GOIS. The victim was deceived by scammers who posed as staff from the Monetary Authority of Singapore, and convinced him that he had been implicated in an offence and was required to surrender 27 pieces of 100-gram gold bars for investigations.
Through extensive ground enquiries and follow-up investigations, officers from the Anti-Scam Command (ASCom) arrested two men, aged 24 and 28, and a 29-year-old woman on 4 June 2025. The 28-year-old man is believed to have collected the valuables from the victim on behalf of the scam syndicate, assisted by the other two persons.
Following these arrests, officers conducted further investigations and arrested two more men, aged 29 and 30, at Woodlands Checkpoint before they attempted to leave Singapore. The 30-year-old man is believed to have worked with the earlier arrested persons in facilitating the scam syndicate to retain benefits from criminal conduct.
Further investigations revealed that the three men aged 24, 28 and 30 are also believed to have received gold bars valued at approximately $500,000 from a 61-year-old victim and cash amounting to at least $21,000 from a 36-year-old victim in separate cases.
Cash amounting to $22,000 and at least six mobile phones were seized as case exhibits.
The three men will be charged in court on 6 June 2025 with the offence of abetment by conspiracy to assist another to retain benefits from criminal conduct under Section 51 of the Corruption, Drug Trafficking and Other Serious Crimes (Confiscation of Benefits) Act 1992. The offence carries an imprisonment term of up to 10 years, a fine not exceeding $500,000, or both. Investigations against the 29-year-old woman and the 29-year-old man are ongoing.
The Police take a serious view on money laundering activities and will not hesitate to take action against those who commit such offences. To avoid being implicated in criminal activity, members of the public should always reject requests by others to use their bank accounts or Singpass accounts. They should also be wary of seemingly attractive money-making opportunities promising fast and easy pay-outs for the use of their bank accounts or Singpass accounts. Anyone who allows their personal bank accounts to be used to receive and transfer money for others will be held accountable if these transactions are linked to crimes.
For more information on scams, members of the public can visit www.scamshield.gov.sg or call the ScamShield Helpline at 1799. Anyone with information on such scams may call the Police Hotline at 1800-255-0000 or submit information online at www.police.gov.sg/i-witness. All information will be kept strictly confidential.
Cash Seized ▼
SINGAPORE POLICE FORCE
05 June 2025 @ 8:45 PM