The Police have arrested a 26-year-old man for his suspected involvement in money laundering, which is linked to a series of sexual service scam cases.
Between 10 October 2019 and 2 June 2020, the Police received multiple reports from victims who were purportedly duped into making payments after responding to women offering sexual service through social networking and dating sites. After the payment was made, the scammer became uncontactable.
Through investigations, officers from Bedok Division established the identity of a man who aided the fund transfers and arrested him on 10 June 2020. He is believed to be involved in at least five cases of overseas perpetrated sexual service scam cases amounting to more than S$2,000.
Preliminary investigations revealed that the man had allowed his bank account to be used by overseas scammers to accept payments made by the victims. The funds in his account were subsequently transferred out of Singapore.
Investigations against the man are ongoing.
The offence of money laundering, punishable under the Corruption, Drug Trafficking and Other Serious Crimes (Confiscation of Benefits) Act, carries a jail term of up to 10 years and/or a fine of up to S$500,000.
The Police take a serious view against any person who may be involved in scams and frauds, and perpetrators will be dealt with in accordance to 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 accounts are linked to illegal transactions.
For more information on scams, members of the public can visit 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 0000or submit information online at www.police.gov.sg/iwitness.
SINGAPORE POLICE FORCE
10 June 2020 @ 9:30 PM