Between the 5th and 18th of August 2022, officers from the Commercial Affairs Department and the seven Police Land Divisions conducted a two-week operation.
A total of 226 men and 99 women, ages ranging from 16 to 73, are currently assisting in investigations for their suspected involvement in scams as money mules or scammers.
943 Scam cases
The suspects are believed to be involved in over 943 cases of scams, primarily internet love scams, impersonation scams of government and Chinese officials, e-commerce scams, phishing scams, investment scams, job scams, and loan scams, in which victims lost over $8.9 million.
The suspects are being investigated for alleged cheating, money laundering, and providing payment services without a license.
Cheating is punishable by up to ten years in prison and a fine under Section 420 of the Penal Code of 1871. Money laundering is punishable by up to ten years in prison, a $500,000 fine, or both under the Corruption, Drug Trafficking, and Other Serious Crimes (Confiscation of Benefits) Act of 1992.
Carrying on a business to provide any type of payment service in Singapore without a licence is punishable by a fine of up to $125,000, imprisonment for up to three years, or both under Section 5 of the Payment Services Act 2019.
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.