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The Singapore Police Force's (SPF) Cyber Command and the Royal Malaysia Police's Commercial Crime Investigation Department (RMP-CCID) have arrested a Malaysian man believed to be a member of a money laundering syndicate. The syndicate was disrupted in March 2026 during Operation Frontier+ III, as a result of information provided by MariBank. This was a joint two-month operation targeting transnational scams conducted by the SPF, in partnership with nine foreign law enforcement agencies. 

On 20 July 2026, the 28-year-old Malaysian man, was detained at Kuala Lumpur International Airport pursuant to a Warrant of Arrest issued by Singapore authorities. He was subsequently handed over to the SPF on 21 July 2026. 

The man will be charged in court on 22 July 2026 for abetment by conspiracy to assist another person in retaining benefits from criminal conduct, under Section 51 of the Corruption, Drug Trafficking and Other Serious Crimes (Confiscation of Benefits) Act 1992, read with Sections 109 and 108B of the Penal Code 1871. The offence carries a maximum imprisonment term of 10 years, a fine not exceeding $500,000, or both.

The SPF would like to express its appreciation to the RMP for their invaluable cooperation and assistance in facilitating the arrest. Commander of Cyber Command, Senior Assistant Commissioner of Police (SAC) Justin Wong said, “The private industry is an important partner in this fight against scams. I commend MariBank for their proactive cooperation with the SPF, which allowed Singapore and Malaysian authorities to dismantle the syndicate. I thank the Royal Malaysia Police for their invaluable partnership. We will continue to work with the private sector and our international law enforcement partners to target scams to act against those who target Singapore.”

With effect from 30 December 2025, scammers and members or recruiters of scam syndicates will face mandatory caning of at least six strokes, up to a maximum of 24 strokes. Scam mules who enable scammers by laundering scam proceeds will face discretionary caning of up to 12 strokes. This includes certain money laundering offences under the Corruption, Drug Trafficking and Other Serious Crimes (Confiscation of Benefits) Act. The Police take a serious stance against any person who may be involved in scams, and perpetrators will be dealt with in accordance with the law.

Members of the public are reminded to: 

• Never transfer cash, jewellery or other valuables to unknown persons whose identity has not been verified.
  
  
• Never leave money or valuables at a location to facilitate subsequent collection.
  
  
• Never share the screen of your device or disclose login credentials to anyone you do not know. 

Singapore Government officials will never: 

• Ask you to transfer money over the phone;  
  
  
• Request your banking login details; 
  
  
• Instruct you to install mobile apps from unofficial app stores; or  
  
  
• Transfer your call to the Police.

For more information on scams, visit www.scamshield.gov.sg or call the 24/7 ScamShield Helpline at 1799.