The Police have arrested a 23-year-old man for his suspected involvement in money laundering offences linked to an Internet love scam.
In early January 2020, the Police received a report from a female victim of an Internet love scam. The victim had befriended a person who claimed to be a male doctor residing in the United States online. The said doctor allegedly informed the victim that he would be sending parcels to her as he intended to shift to Singapore. Soon after, the victim received phone calls from unknown individuals who told her that the parcels had been held back in Malaysia and that sums of monies were required for the parcels to be released. As such, the victim made two transfers amounting to S$15,000 to the man’s local bank account.
Through follow-up investigations, officers from the Commercial Affairs Department established the identity of the man and arrested him on 4 October 2021.
The man will be charged in court on 7 October 2021 with two counts of using benefits from criminal conduct under Section 47(3) of the Corruption, Drug Trafficking and Other Serious Offences (Confiscation of Benefits) Act, Chapter 65A. The offence carries an imprisonment term of up to 10 years, a fine of up to $500,000, or both.
The Police takes a serious stance against any person who may be involved in scams, and perpetrators will be dealt with in accordance with the law. To avoid being an accomplice to crimes, members of the public should always reject requests by others to use your bank account or mobile lines, as you will be held accountable if these are linked to crimes.
For more information on scams, members of the public can visit www.scamalert.sg or call the Anti-Scam Hotline 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.
SINGAPORE POLICE FORCE
06 October 2021 @ 9:00 AM