Two women, aged 26 and 44, will be charged in court on 21 June 2023 for their suspected involvement in money laundering activities which were linked to scam and illegal gambling related activities.
In August 2022, the Police investigated the two women after receiving a report from a victim who had fallen prey to a case of internet love scam. Investigations revealed that in early 2022, the 26-year-old woman responded to an online advertisement which offered her fast cash if she agreed to rent out her bank account. She was contacted by an unknown person who offered her $500 a month in return for her bank account. The woman then allegedly deceived a bank into opening a bank account, and subsequently handed over the internet-banking login username, password and One-Time-Password (“OTP”) of her bank account to the unknown person. Investigations also revealed that the 44-year-old woman had purportedly provided the Internet-banking login username, password and OTP of her bank account to the same unknown person for monetary gain. Their bank accounts were believed to be later used to launder proceeds of crime amounting to more than $390,000.
For deceiving the bank into opening bank account that was not meant for her own use and relinquishing her bank account login details, the 26-year-old woman will be charged for respective offences under Section 417 read with Section 109 of the Penal Code 1871 and Section 3(1) of the Computer Misuse Act 1993. The offence of cheating under Section 417 of the Penal Code 1871 carries an imprisonment term of up to three years, or with fine, or both, while the offence under Section 3(1) of the Computer Misuse Act 1993 carries a fine of up to $5,000, or an imprisonment for a term of up to two years, or both.
For relinquishing her bank account login details, the 44-year-old woman will be charged with offence under Section 3(1) of the Computer Misuse Act 1993. The offence carries a fine of up to $5,000, or an imprisonment for a term of up to two years, or both.
The Police take a serious view of these offences and will not hesitate to take action against individuals who may be involved in scams, and perpetrators will be dealt with in accordance with the law. To avoid being an accomplice to crime, members of the public should always reject seemingly attractive money-making opportunities promising fast and easy pay-outs for the use of their bank accounts, or for allowing their personal bank accounts to be used to receive and transfer money for others. The Police would like to remind members of the public that individuals will be held accountable if they are found to be linked to such 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
20 June 2023 @ 9:25 PM