Officers from the Commercial Affairs Department and seven Police Land Divisions conducted a two-week operation between 27 March and 9 April 2021. A total of 207 men and 122 women, aged between 16 and 80, are currently assisting with investigations for their suspected involvement in scams, as scammers or money mules. The suspects are believed to be involved in 534 cases of scams, comprising mainly of Internet love scams, e-commerce scams, China officials impersonation scams, investment scams, fake gambling platform scams and loan scams, where victims lost more than $9.3 million.
The suspects are being investigated for the offences of cheating, money laundering or providing payment services without a licence. The offence of cheating under section 420 of 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 Section 5 of 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
10 April 2021 @ 2:10 PM