The Singapore Police Force has arrested a 27-year-old Malaysian man suspected of being involved in a string of job scam cases. The arrest was made by officers from Bedok Police Division on 20 August 2025, following swift investigations.
According to police reports, two victims lodged complaints on 20 and 21 August 2025, claiming they had been duped by scammers posing as agents for YouTube subscription jobs. The victims were persuaded to hand over large sums of money – one losing about $11,000, while the other was cheated of $3,000. They were told that an “agent account upgrade” was required to access higher-paying compensation tiers, a common tactic in online job scams.
Investigators believe the suspect acted on behalf of unknown syndicate members, allegedly collecting cash from victims before passing it along to others higher up the chain.
Facing Serious Charges
The suspect will be charged in court on 22 August 2025 for assisting in retaining benefits from criminal conduct. The charge, under Section 51(1)(a) of the Corruption, Drug Trafficking and Other Serious Crimes (Confiscation of Benefits) Act 1992, read with Section 109 and Section 108B of the Penal Code 1871, carries a maximum penalty of 10 years in prison, a fine of up to $500,000, or both.
Police have emphasised their tough stance on scams, warning that anyone found involved – whether directly or indirectly – will be dealt with under the full extent of the law.
Police Advisory: How to Protect Yourself
The authorities are once again reminding the public to stay vigilant and adopt key scam-prevention practices:
- ADD – Download the ScamShield app to block suspicious calls and SMSes, set spending limits, and use banking security features such as Money Lock to safeguard funds.
- CHECK – Verify unusual requests with official sources or by calling the ScamShield Helpline at 1799 before taking any action.
- TELL – Share scam awareness tips with family and friends, and report fraudulent activities immediately to your bank and the police.
Those with information on scams are urged to call the Police Hotline at 1800-255-0000 or submit details at www.police.gov.sg/i-witness. All information provided will be kept strictly confidential.
With scams in Singapore continuing to evolve, the police stress that prevention remains the best defence. Members of the public are advised never to transfer money or valuables to unknown individuals without verifying their identity.