In a joint operation conducted by the Commercial Affairs Department (CAD), and the Johor Commercial Crime Investigation Department (CCID) of the Royal Malaysia Police (RMP), one transnational scam syndicate allegedly involved in fake friend calls targeting Singaporean victims was crippled in a raid conducted in Johor, Malaysia.
Since January 2023, more than 1,300 victims have fallen prey to fake friend call scams, with total losses amounting to at least $4.33 million. Pursuant to these reports, SPF and RMP collaborated and shared information on these scams. On 20 March 2023, officers from CCID/RMP conducted a raid at an apartment complex in Johor, Malaysia, leading to the arrest of three Malaysian men, aged between 18 and 27, for their suspected involvement in fake friend call scams targeting Singaporeans. Preliminary investigations revealed that the syndicate started their scam operations early this year. The syndicate is believed to be involved in more than 40 reports made, with total losses of more than $250,000.
The three men were extradited to Singapore on 28 March 2023 and will be charged in court on 30 March 2023 with conspiracy to cheat under Section 420 read with Section 108B of the Penal Code 1871. The offence is punishable with imprisonment of up to three years and a fine.
Director CAD, Mr David Chew said, “Fake Friend Call Scams are on the rise and this is a serious concern. The Singapore Police Force has been working closely with the Royal Malaysia Police to detect and arrest these transnational syndicates who prey on our citizens. I would like to thank the Johor Police Chief, Commissioner Datuk Kamarul Zaman Mamat and his officers from the Johor Commercial Crime Investigations Department for their strong support and commitment in tackling transnational crime syndicates that target our citizens. We will continue to take tough action against individuals who perpetuate scams even if they are based overseas”.
The Police would like to remind members of the public of the persistent threat posed by this fake friend call scam variant, which involves scammers contacting victims through phone calls, pretending to be their friends, and thereafter asking for financial assistance.
The Police would like to advise members of the public to adopt the following precautionary measures:
- ADD - ScamShield App and set security features (e.g., enable two-factor (2FA) or multifactor authentication for banks, social media, Singpass accounts; set transaction limits on internet banking transactions, including PayNow)
- CHECK - For scam signs with official sources (e.g. visit www.scamalert.sg or call the Anti-Scam Hotline on 1800-722-6688). Verify whether the request is legitimate by checking with your family and friends through alternative means such as physical meetups, video calls or emails other than using the new contact details on your phone.
- TELL - Authorities, family and friends about scams. Beware of unusual requests from someone purporting to be someone you know via texts or phone/WhatsApp calls. Report the number to WhatsApp to initiate in-app blocking.
If you have any information relating to such crimes or if you are in doubt, please call the Police Hotline at 1800-255-0000, or submit it online at www.police.gov.sg/iwitness. All information will be kept strictly confidential. If you require urgent Police assistance, please dial ‘999’.
For more information on scams, members of the public can visit www.scamalert.sg or call the Anti-Scam Helpline at 1800-722-6688. Join the ‘I can ACT against scams’ campaign at www.scamalert.sg by signing up as an advocate to receive up-to-date messages and share them with your family and friends. Fighting scams is a community effort. Together, we can ACT Against Scams to safeguard our community!
SINGAPORE POLICE FORCE
29 March 2023 @ 4:10 PM