A total of 147 people are under investigation following a nationwide anti-scam enforcement operation conducted by the Singapore Police Force (SPF), with authorities seizing more than S$150,000 believed to be linked to scam activities.
The operation targeted suspects allegedly involved in government official impersonation scams, investment scams and job scams. Police said those being investigated may have committed offences under the Corruption, Drug Trafficking and Other Serious Crimes (Confiscation of Benefits) Act (CDSA) and the Computer Misuse Act (CMA).
The islandwide operation was carried out between Jun. 17 and Jun. 30 by the Cyber Command’s Anti-Scam Centre (ASC) and Anti-Scam Investigation Units, working alongside officers from seven police land divisions.
More than 150 bank accounts frozen
Working closely with local banks, officers from the Anti-Scam Centre detected and froze 158 bank accounts believed to be linked to scam activities.
More than S$150,000 in suspected scam proceeds was seized during the operation.
Police also revealed that over 140 individuals are being investigated for allegedly surrendering their bank accounts to facilitate money laundering linked to scam operations.
In addition to targeting individuals, the operation also focused on disrupting the infrastructure used by scammers.
Over 1,100 online enablers taken down
With the assistance of social media platforms, messaging application providers and telecommunications companies, police took down 1,123 online enablers believed to have supported scam syndicates.
Authorities also disabled 370 phone lines that were allegedly being used to facilitate scam activities.
Police said these coordinated efforts are aimed at disrupting scam syndicates and making it harder for criminals to target victims in Singapore.
Offenders face jail, fines and caning
Under Singapore law, anyone found guilty of assisting another person to retain benefits from criminal conduct may face a jail term of up to three years, a fine of up to S$50,000, or both.
First-time offenders convicted of unauthorised access to computer material may be sentenced to up to two years’ imprisonment, fined up to S$5,000, or both.
The police added that convicted scammers, as well as members or recruiters of scam syndicates, will face mandatory caning of between six and 24 strokes.
Scam mules who help criminals by laundering scam proceeds or providing bank accounts, SIM cards or SingPass credentials may also be liable for discretionary caning of up to 12 strokes.
Police warn public not to become scam accomplices
The Singapore Police Force reiterated that it takes a serious stance against all individuals involved in scam-related activities and said offenders will be dealt with firmly in accordance with the law.
Members of the public are advised never to allow others to use their SingPass credentials, bank accounts or mobile phone lines for suspicious or unlawful purposes, as doing so could make them accomplices to criminal offences.
Police also urged anyone with information about suspected scam or mule-related activities to report the matter through the appropriate police channels. All information provided will be treated with strict confidentiality.