On April 4, 2024, three men, ranging in age from 20 to 29, will face charges in court for their suspected involvement in money laundering activities connected to various scams, including job and investment scams. Separately, a 26-year-old man will be charged in court on the same day for allegedly committing rental scam.
Case 1
The first case involves a 28-year-old man who responded to an online job advertisement on Telegram in November 2022. The ad offered him $500 per month to open a crypto mining account and share his Singpass and bank account login credentials.
He agreed, and his bank accounts were subsequently used to launder proceeds of crime from job and investment scams. He will be charged with the offense of unauthorized disclosure of access code under Section 8(1) of the Computer Misuse Act 1993 and abetting to secure unauthorized access to the bank’s computer system under Section 3(1) read with Section 12(1) of the Computer Misuse Act 1993.
Case 2
In October 2023, a 20-year-old man responded to an online advertisement on Telegram that offered him $600 for sharing his bank account details and internet banking credentials. He agreed, and his bank account was subsequently used to launder proceeds of crime from a job scam.
He will be charged with the offense of abetting to secure unauthorized access to the bank’s computer system under Section 3(1) read with Section 12(1) of the Computer Misuse Act 1993.
Case 3
A 29-year-old man allegedly responded to a fast cash offer on Telegram in May 2023, which offered him $600 for sharing his internet banking credentials. He later disclosed his internet banking credentials to an unknown person, and his bank account was subsequently used to launder proceeds of crime from job scams.
He will be charged with the offense of abetting to secure unauthorized access to the bank’s computer system under Section 3(1) read with Section 12(1) of the Computer Misuse Act 1993.
Rental Scam
On July 13, 2023, a 26-year-old man allegedly deceived a victim into believing that he had a rental room to offer. After the victim paid a deposit to secure the rental, the man became uncontactable. Investigations revealed that the man did not have any room to offer. He will be charged with the offense of cheating under Section 420 of the Penal Code 1871.
Penalties for the crimes committed
The offense of abetting to secure unauthorized 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 first-time offenders.
The offense of unauthorized disclosure of access code, under Section 8(1), punishable under Section 8(2) of the Computer Misuse Act 1993 carries an imprisonment term not exceeding three years, a fine not exceeding $10,000, or both, for first-time offenders.
The offense of cheating under Section 420 of the Penal Code 1871 carries an imprisonment term of up to 10 years and a fine.
Don’t play play
The Police take a serious view of these offenses and will not hesitate to take action against individuals who may be involved in scams. 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.
Further information related to scams & where to report
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/iwitness.
All information will be kept strictly confidential.
Image source: Singapore Police Force