Between January 1 and 13, 2022, officers from the Commercial Affairs Department and the seven Police Land Divisions undertook a two-week operation.
A total of 149 males and 93 women, aged 15 to 75 are now part of investigations for scam-related activities and money mules.
The suspects are suspected of being involved in over 587 cases of scams.
The types of scams suspects are investigated for:
- Internet love scams
- e-commerce scams
- banking-related phishing scams
- tech support scams
- China/Government Officials impersonation scams
- investment scams
- job scams
- loan scams
In total, the victims lost over SGD$7.2 million.
Investigations and penalties
The suspects are who are found guilty of cheating can face a maximum of 10 years in jail.
Suspects who are found guilty for money laundering can be jailed up to a maximum of 10 years and a fine of up to SGD$500,000.
The offense of carrying on a business of providing any sort of payment service in Singapore without a license is punishable by a fine of up to $125,000, jail term for up to three years.
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.