In an island-wide anti-scam enforcement operation conducted on 4 July 2023, the Anti-Scam Command of the Singapore Police Force arrested six men and one woman, aged between 22 and 54 for their suspected involvement in refundable deposit scams targeting commercial services providers. Preliminary investigations show that to facilitate the scams, SIM cards were supplied, messaging accounts were set up, money mule bank accounts were acquired to receive the payments and cash withdrawals of scam proceeds were made from these bank accounts. A total of about 50 SIM cards were seized during the raid.
Since May 2023, the Police have been receiving reports of scammers posing either as tenants of commercial units or residential management entities. They had approached the victim businesses or companies to provide services such as cleaning and painting, on an urgent basis. The victims that were keen on providing these services were then led into paying a refundable security deposit of at least $3,000 to the respective building management corporation bank account to facilitate the approval process. Victims realise that they have been scammed when they show up at the venue on the appointed day or when they are unable to contact the counterparty after paying the security deposit.
Four men were charged in court today for allegedly assisting another to retain benefits from criminal conduct, which is an offence under Section 51 of the Corruption, Drug Trafficking and Other Serious Offences (Confiscation of Benefits) Act 1992. If convicted, offenders may be sentenced to a fine of up to S$500,000, or an imprisonment term of up to 10 years, or to both. A fifth man has been charged with possessing property reasonably suspected to be benefits of criminal conduct under Section 55 of the Corruption, Drug Trafficking and Other Serious Offences (Confiscation of Benefits) Act 1992. If convicted, offenders may be sentenced to a fine of up to $150,000 or to an imprisonment term of up to 3 years or both.
The five men have been remanded for further investigations. Two other persons are assisting with police investigations.
To avoid becoming involved in money laundering activities, members of the public should always reject requests for their bank accounts to be used to receive and transfer money for others.
The Police would also like to remind members of the public to adopt the following precautionary measures when securing appointments to view properties:
- 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. Verify the legitimacy of a client. When in doubt, always verify the authenticity of the information with the relevant parties involved through alternative means, such as:
- Verifying that the client is indeed a tenant at the building;
- Checking with the building management through official contact details provided on its official website
- Verifying that the client is indeed a tenant at the building;
- TELL - authorities, family, and friends about scams.
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.
Annex
Photos of the arrests and the seizure for SIM cards ▼
SINGAPORE POLICE FORCE
05 July 2023 @ 10:50 PM