In an island-wide anti-scam enforcement operation conducted on 5 and 6 April 2022, the Singapore Police Force (“SPF”) investigated four men and one woman, aged between 20 and 28 years old, for disclosing their Singpass details which were then used by scam syndicates to register businesses in their names and open corporate bank accounts. The bank accounts were all involved in transactions linked to transfers of money related to investment scams.
Preliminary investigations revealed that the individuals came across loan advertisements on social media, phishing links, and had allegedly disclosed their Singpass credentials for various purposes, such as to obtain loans. As a result, businesses were registered and corporate bank accounts were opened in their names. These accounts were then used to receive illegal proceeds from scam victims.
The Police would like to advise the public that disclosing Singpass login details can constitute an offence under Section 8(2)(a) of the Computer Misuse Act (Cap 50A, 2007 Rev Ed). If convicted, first-time offenders will each be liable to a fine not exceeding $10,000 or to imprisonment not exceeding three years, or both.
Members of the public are advised to remain vigilant and should adopt the following crime prevention measures:
- Never disclose your Singpass login details to others;
- Check your Singpass account for any suspicious activities and report them, if any, to the Singpass helpdesk at 63353533 immediately.
- Reset your Singpass password at go.gov.sg/reset-sp-pw if you suspect any misuse of your Singpass account
To avoid becoming involved in money-laundering activities, members of the public should always reject requests to disclose their Singpass login details, or allow their personal bank accounts to be used to receive and transfer money for others. The Police would also like to caution members of the public against relinquishing their own Singpass accounts to others. Crime syndicates can make use of the disclosed Singpass login details to access a whole suite of digital services, including opening bank accounts, registering businesses in the owner’s name, making cash advances from the banks, and even accessing the owner’s CPF monies.
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
07 April 2022 @ 4:32 PM