On 22 September 2023, two men and two women, aged between 32 and 51, were arrested for their suspected involvement in money laundering. They are alleged to have laundered parts of criminal proceeds from several scam victims and are believed to be part of a syndicate that is involved in love scams. In addition, their arrests prevented further monetary loss of at least $115,000 by a victim.
Their arrests were a result of extensive investigations following the apprehension of other syndicate members, in relation to criminal activities and scam cases which involved multiple victims, with losses amounting to at least $370,000 between August and September 2023. Two other syndicate members, a 41-year-old man and a 58-year-old man were earlier charged in court on 19 and 22 September 2023 respectively. Three other syndicate members, a man and two females, aged between 36 and 40, were also arrested between 18 and 19 September 2023 and are assisting with investigations.
Materials used in the commission of crimes as well as recovered cash amounting to $80,600 and electronic devices from the syndicate members were seized as case exhibits.
The 51-year-old man and 50-year-old woman will be charged in court on 23 September 2023 with the offence of money laundering under the Corruption, Drug Trafficking and Other Serious Crimes (Confiscation of Benefits) Act 1992, which carries an imprisonment term not exceeding 10 years, a fine not exceeding $500,000, or both.
The Police would like to advise members of the public to adopt the following precautionary measures:
- Exercise caution when befriending strangers online.
- Never send money to people whom you do not know or have not met in person before.
- Never share your internet banking credentials or One Time Passwords
- Reject requests to use your personal bank accounts to receive and transfer money for others
For more information on scams, members of the public can visit www.scamalert.sg or call the Anti-Scam Helpline at 1800-722-6688. 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.
Annex
Photographs of Exhibits Seized ▼
SINGAPORE POLICE FORCE
23 September 2023 @ 8:35 AM