A 27-year-old Singaporean man has been arrested after being deported from Vietnam, following investigations into his alleged involvement in a Cambodia-based criminal syndicate accused of targeting victims in Singapore through government official impersonation scams.
The man, identified as Lam Yong Yan, was arrested by officers from the Singapore Police Force’s (SPF) Criminal Investigation Department (CID) shortly after arriving in Singapore on 6 November 2026.
According to the police, Lam is suspected of being a member of an organised criminal group operating out of Phnom Penh, Cambodia. The syndicate is believed to have been involved in at least 528 reported scam cases, with victims suffering combined losses of approximately S$53 million.
Cambodia-Based Syndicate Linked To 528 Scam Cases
Investigations revealed that the suspected criminal group operated from a scam compound in Phnom Penh. The premises were disrupted during a joint enforcement operation involving the SPF and Cambodian National Police on 9 September 2025.
Lam was subsequently detained by Vietnam’s Ministry of Public Security on 19 November 2025 over immigration-related offences.
He was among 36 individuals wanted by the SPF in connection with their alleged involvement in an organised criminal group. Following the completion of Vietnamese authorities’ investigations, Lam was deported to Singapore on 6 November 2026.
Singapore police officers arrested him upon his arrival.
Man To Be Charged In Singapore Court
Lam is expected to be charged in court on 7 November 2026 with facilitating the commission of a serious offence in furtherance of the illegal purpose of a locally linked organised criminal group.
If convicted, the offence carries a maximum penalty of five years’ imprisonment, a fine of up to S$100,000, or both.
CID Director Julius Lim expressed his appreciation to Vietnam’s Ministry of Public Security for its assistance in the investigation and enforcement operation.
He also emphasised that individuals suspected of targeting victims in Singapore should not assume that operating overseas would protect them from prosecution.
“Those who prey on victims in Singapore should know that crossing borders does not put them beyond the reach of the law,” Lim said.
He added that the SPF would continue working with international