Officers from the Commercial Affairs Department and seven Police Land Divisions conducted a two-week operation between 8 and 21 October 2021. A total of 177 men and 80 women, aged between 14 and 68, are currently assisting in investigations for their suspected involvement in scams as scammers or money mules. The suspects are believed to be involved in more than 849 cases of scams, comprising mainly investment scams, job scams, e-commerce, China/Government Official impersonation scams and loan scams, where victims lost more than $10.9 million.
The suspects are being investigated for the alleged offences of cheating, money laundering or providing payment services without a licence. The offence of cheating under the Penal Code carries an imprisonment term of up to 10 years and a fine. The offence of money laundering under the Corruption, Drug Trafficking and Other Serious Crimes (Confiscation of Benefits) Act carries an imprisonment for a term not exceeding 10 years, a fine not exceeding $500,000, or both. The offence of carrying on a business of providing any type of payment service in Singapore without a licence under the Payment Services Act 2019 carries a fine not exceeding $125,000, imprisonment for a term not exceeding three years, or both.
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. 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
22 October 2021 @ 4:25 PM