Joint Police Operation Dismantles Cross-Border VoIP Scam Syndicate
SINGAPORE — In a significant breakthrough against phone scams targeting Singaporeans, the Singapore Police Force (SPF) and the Royal Malaysia Police (RMP) have successfully disrupted a criminal syndicate using sophisticated Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) GSM gateway devices to carry out fraudulent calls.
The arrest came after close collaboration and intelligence sharing between SPF’s Commercial Affairs Department and the Johor Commercial Crime Investigation Department, RMP. On 28 June 2025, Malaysian authorities apprehended a 41-year-old suspect believed to be a key operator within the syndicate. The individual was later handed over to SPF and is scheduled to face charges in Singapore court on 1 July 2025 for conspiracy to commit cheating offences under Section 420 read with Section 120B of the Penal Code 1871.
Advanced Technology Enables Remote Scam Operations
Preliminary investigations revealed that the syndicate used a cloud-based remote operating system that linked directly to GSM mobile phone networks in multiple jurisdictions. This system allowed scam calls to be routed through local mobile networks, making the calls appear to originate from Singapore phone numbers. Victims were thus deceived into believing they were receiving genuine local calls, making the scam more convincing and harder to detect.
If convicted, the accused faces a maximum sentence of 10 years imprisonment and a fine under the Penal Code’s cheating offence provisions.
Continued Commitment to Combat Transnational Crime
The SPF reaffirmed its commitment to international cooperation in tackling transnational criminal activities, pledging to maintain close ties with overseas law enforcement to prevent scams and hold perpetrators accountable.
Members of the public seeking to learn more about scam prevention can visit www.scamshield.gov.sg or call the ScamShield Helpline at 1799. Those with relevant information can report anonymously via the Police Hotline at 1800-255-0000 or online at www.police.gov.sg/i-witness. All reports will be handled with strict confidentiality.