Two individuals, aged 21 and 25, have been apprehended for their involvement in a China officials impersonation scam, causing victims to lose over $445,000, according to a report by The Straits Times.
The Scam Unveiled: Kidnapping Hoax and Impersonation
On January 17, the police received reports of a 19-year-old woman and a 21-year-old man allegedly being kidnapped. The victims’ parents, based in China, received distressing videos of their tied-up children along with ransom demands in Mandarin. Swift action was taken as the incidents were reported to the Singapore police by friends of the victims.
Within 12 hours, extensive follow-up investigations led to the victims’ discovery. Contrary to the initial kidnapping claims, it was revealed that the incidents were part of an impersonation scam.
Methodology of the Scam
In the first case, the female victim received an unsolicited call from someone claiming to be an Immigration & Checkpoints Authority (ICA) officer, eventually being routed to a scammer posing as a Chinese police officer. The scam involved alleged money laundering activities, leading the victim to transfer more than $230,000.
In the second case, a male victim faced a similar scenario, accused of spreading Covid-19-related rumors. He transferred $215,000, believing it to be bail money, as instructed by the scammer.
Both victims were coerced into daily communication with the so-called “China police” through video calls and messages. In early January, they were instructed to record videos of themselves being tied up, portraying a staged kidnap scene for “scam education.” The 25-year-old suspect facilitated these recordings, even brandishing a knife for added authenticity.
Arrest and Unmasking the Scammers
On January 15, the police located the male victim in a safehouse rented by one of the suspects. The 21-year-old suspect arranged a safehouse for the female victim, instructing her to cut off communication with others.
Unbeknownst to the victims, the scammers sent the scam education videos to their parents, threatening them and demanding ransom. The suspects booked and rented units for the victims, replaced their phones and SIM cards, ensuring isolation from the outside world, except for the scammers.
Legal Consequences and Ongoing Investigations
The two suspects are now in custody, facing potential charges for cheating, kidnapping, and possessing a scheduled weapon. Investigations continue, with police seizing evidence such as the kukri and ropes used in the videos.
Conviction for cheating can result in up to 10 years of imprisonment and fines. Possession of a scheduled weapon carries a potential jail term of five years and a minimum of six strokes of the cane.
The Singapore police underscored that overseas law enforcement agencies have no jurisdiction in Singapore. They cannot conduct operations, make arrests, or involve the public in investigations without the approval of the Singapore Government.
Crackdown on Scams: Over 397 People Assisting Investigations
In a separate release on January 20, the police revealed an operation conducted between January 1 and 18, involving 397 individuals suspected of scams. These individuals, aged 15 to 79, are believed to be involved in over 1,300 cases resulting in losses exceeding $9.5 million.
The scams include e-commerce, investment, job, phishing, Internet love, and government official impersonation scams. Investigations cover offenses like cheating, money laundering, and providing payment services without a license.