Law enforcement agencies join forces in cross-border operations to combat transnational scams.
By: SPF Insider
Uniting Against a Common Threat
Established on 21 October 2024, FRONTIER+ (Funds Recovery Operations & Networks Team, Inspiring Effective Resolution Plus) is a cross-border collaboration platform comprising representatives from anti-scam agencies of 11 jurisdictions: Singapore, Hong Kong SAR, Malaysia, Thailand, the Republic of Maldives, the Republic of Korea, Australia, Macao SAR, Canada, Indonesia and Brunei. It facilitates real-time intelligence sharing, joint operations and coordinated enforcement against transnational scams.
In collaboration with six law enforcement agencies across Asia, the Anti-Scam Command (ASCom) of the Commercial Affairs Department (CAD) successfully concluded a month-long anti-scam operation from 28 April to 28 May.
Operation FRONTIER+ involved a total of 2,784 officers from Singapore, Hong Kong SAR, the Republic of Korea, Malaysia, the Republic of Maldives, Thailand and Macao SAR.
Over the course of the operation, the various authorities investigated more than 9,200 scam reports involving total losses of over S$289 million. The joint efforts resulted in 1,858 subjects arrested and S$26.2 million seized.
In Singapore, 106 subjects were arrested and 545 subjects were investigated across more than 1,300 local scam cases with losses amounting to approximately S$39.3 million. The ASCom also successfully froze 714 bank accounts and seized over S$7.69 million.
The successful operational outcomes were shared at a conclusion meeting held in Hong Kong SAR from 1 to 3 June 2025. Hosted by the Hong Kong Police Force (HKPF), the meeting was attended by law enforcement representatives from Macao SAR, Malaysia, the Republic of Korea, the Republic of Maldives, Singapore and Thailand.
Singapore was represented by a six-member delegation from the CAD, led by Deputy Director, Financial Investigation Group, Senior Assistant Commissioner of Police Shee Tek Tze. Attendees also discussed emerging scam trends along with future FRONTIER+ plans.
In a live-streamed press conference on 3 June 2025, Assistant Commissioner of Police (AC) Aileen Yap represented ASCom where she shared Singapore’s operational achievements and addressed media queries. She emphasised that FRONTIER+ has significantly enhanced the efficiency of information sharing and expedited procedures compared to conventional channels. She also urged other countries to establish Anti-Scam Centres within their own jurisdictions to strengthen the collective effort against transnational scams.
Cross-Border Scam Syndicate Taken Down
In another joint operation coordinated through FRONTIER+ from April to June 2025, the Singapore Police Force (SPF), HKPF and Royal Malaysia Police successfully dismantled a syndicate behind cross-border scam calls using Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) GSM gateway devices.
Joint intelligence sharing and investigations by the three police forces uncovered a sophisticated criminal network operating across the three jurisdictions. The syndicate used a cloud-based remote system to connect GSM networks, allowing them to route scam calls through local mobile networks and trick victims into thinking the calls were local.
The operation led to the seizure of 216 GSM gateway devices including 67 from Singapore. The Hong Kong seizures were a direct outcome of the intelligence shared during the Singapore-Hong Kong meeting. A total of 11 subjects, aged between 24 and 48, from the three jurisdictions were arrested for their suspected roles in the syndicate.
Director CAD Mr David Chew shared on the success of this operation: “We’ll continue to work closely with our partners to detect, deter and disrupt such criminal activities and prosecute the persons behind it to the fullest extent of the law.”
Strengthening Our Fight Against Scams
In today’s digital landscape, scam syndicates employ sophisticated methods across multiple jurisdictions to defraud victims and launder their illicit proceeds. Mr Chew emphasised the importance of Operation FRONTIER+ in bolstering international cooperation and combating the growing threat of scams.
“This joint effort demonstrates our shared commitment to disrupting transnational scam syndicates,” Mr Chew said. “By combining our resources and enforcement capabilities, we’re creating a united front against scams.”
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