Nine persons, aged between 18 and 35, will be charged in court on 14 June 2024 for their suspected involvement in several offences connected to money mule activities, which include abetting by conspiracy to commit cheating, abetting to secure unauthorised access to computer material and unauthorised disclosure of access code.
Preliminary investigations revealed that the nine persons allegedly relinquished their Singpass and bank account credentials to criminal syndicates for cash.
- In June 2022, a 21-year-old man purportedly relinquished his Singpass credentials to criminal syndicates for cash amounting to $1,000. He will be charged with the offence of unauthorised disclosure of access code.
- In July 2022, a 31-year-old man had purportedly relinquished his Singpass and iBanking credentials of three bank accounts to criminal syndicates for cash amounting to $1,000. He will be charged with the offence of abetting to secure unauthorised access to computer material and unauthorised disclosure of access code.
- In October 2022, an 18-year-old teenager had purportedly cheated the banks into opening a bank account and relinquishing his iBanking credentials to the criminal syndicate for a commission. He will be charged with the offence of abetting by conspiracy to commit cheating and abetting to secure unauthorised access to computer material.
- In October 2022, a 21-year-old woman had purportedly relinquished her bank accounts and iBanking credentials to criminal syndicates for cash amounting to $1,500. She will be charged with the offence of abetting to secure unauthorised access to computer material.
- In May 2023, a 35-year-old man had purportedly cheated the banks into opening three bank accounts and relinquishing his iBanking credentials to criminal syndicates for a loan amounting to $3,000. He will be charged with the offence of abetting by conspiracy to commit cheating and abetting to secure unauthorised access to computer material.
- In July 2023, a 19-year-old teenager had purportedly relinquished her Singpass credentials to criminal syndicates for cash amounting to $450. She will be charged with the offence of unauthorised disclosure of access code.
- In November 2023, a 24-year-old man had purportedly relinquished his bank account and iBanking credentials to criminal syndicates for cash amounting to $600. He will be charged with the offence of abetting to secure unauthorised access to computer material.
- In December 2023, a 34-year-old man had purportedly relinquished his Singpass credentials to criminal syndicates for cash amounting to $5,000. He will be charged with the offence of unauthorised disclosure of access code.
- In February 2024, a 21-year-old man had purportedly relinquished his Singpass credentials to an unknown person online to take up a loan. His Singpass credentials were used to set up a bank account which was used for criminal activities. He will be charged with the offence of abetting to secure unauthorised access to computer material.
The offence of abetting by conspiracy to cheat the bank into opening bank accounts under Section 417 read with Section 109 of the Penal Code 1871 carries an imprisonment term not exceeding three years, a fine, or both.
The offence of abetting to secure unauthorised access to the bank’s computer system under Section 3(1) read with Section 12 of the Computer Misuse Act 1993 carries a fine not exceeding $5,000, an imprisonment term not exceeding two years, or both, for a first-time offender.
The offence of unauthorised disclosure of access code to gain access to any program or data held in any computer under Section 8(1) of the Computer Misuse Act 1993 carries a fine not exceeding $10,000, an imprisonment term not exceeding three years, or both, for a first-time offender.
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 in these crimes, members of the public should always reject seemingly attractive money-making opportunities promising fast and easy pay-outs for the use of their Singpass accounts, bank accounts, or allow 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 Helpline 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/i-witness. All information will be kept strictly confidential.
SINGAPORE POLICE FORCE
13 June 2024 @ 3:00 PM