Police Arrest 27-Year-Old Man in Government Official Impersonation Scam
The Singapore Police have apprehended a 27-year-old man in connection with a Government Official Impersonation Scam (GOIS). The arrest took place on April 9, 2025, following a report from a 20-year-old victim who lost $40,000 to scammers posing as Chinese government officials. These fraudsters claimed that the victim’s identity had been misused in China and that he was implicated in a transnational money-laundering syndicate.
Details of the Scam
The victim was deceived into believing that he was under investigation, leading him to comply with the scammers’ demands. Through diligent follow-up investigations, officers from the Anti-Scam Command (ASCom) and the Clementi Police Division identified the suspect and arrested him on the same day. It was revealed that the 27-year-old, who is in Singapore on a Student’s Pass, had also fallen victim to the same scam. He was reportedly manipulated into assisting the scammers, believing he was aiding in legitimate investigations.
Legal Implications
The suspect is currently under investigation for cheating and cheating by impersonation. Under Section 419 of the Penal Code 1871, the offence of cheating by impersonation can result in a prison sentence of up to five years, a fine, or both. Meanwhile, the offence of cheating under Section 420 carries a more severe penalty of up to ten years in prison and a fine.
The Police have reiterated their commitment to tackling scams and ensuring that perpetrators face the full force of the law. They urge the public to be vigilant and to reject any requests from others to use their bank accounts or mobile lines, as individuals may be held accountable if these accounts are linked to criminal activities.
Public Awareness and Prevention Measures
The Police emphasize that legitimate government officials will never request personal banking information, bank transfers, or the installation of third-party applications via phone or text. They advise the public to be cautious if approached by individuals claiming to be government officials, especially if they request money or documents for bail or investigations.
To protect themselves from scams, the public is encouraged to adopt the following measures:
- ADD: Download the ScamShield App to shield yourself from scam calls and messages. Enable security features such as International Call Blocking, Two-Factor Authentication (2FA), and Money Lock on bank accounts to secure your savings.
- CHECK: Verify any suspicious communications with official sources, such as the ScamShield helpline (1799) or the website www.scamshield.gov.sg. Never share personal information, banking details, or One-Time Passwords (OTPs) with anyone.
- TELL: Inform authorities, family, and friends about any scam encounters. Report and block suspected scam accounts and chat groups. If you believe you have fallen victim to a scam, contact your bank immediately to report and block fraudulent transactions, and file a police report.
For any information related to such crimes or if you have doubts, please contact the Police Hotline at 1800-255-0000 or submit information online at www.police.gov.sg/i-witness. All information will be kept confidential. For urgent police assistance, dial ‘999’. For more information on scams, visit www.scamshield.gov.sg or call the 24/7 ScamShield Helpline at 1799.