Five Arrested in Government Official Impersonation Scam in Singapore
The Singapore Police have apprehended five individuals, aged between 24 and 30, in connection with a Government Official Impersonation Scam (GOIS). This operation follows a report made on June 3, 2025, by a 68-year-old man who fell victim to the scam, which involved fraudsters posing as staff from the Monetary Authority of Singapore.
Details of the Scam
The victim was misled into believing that he was implicated in a criminal offense and was coerced into surrendering 27 pieces of 100-gram gold bars for supposed investigations. The scammers employed a sophisticated approach, convincing the elderly man that his cooperation was necessary to resolve the matter.
Following the report, officers from the Anti-Scam Command (ASCom) launched an extensive investigation. On June 4, they arrested three suspects: two men, aged 24 and 28, and a 29-year-old woman. The 28-year-old man is believed to have collected the gold bars from the victim on behalf of the scam syndicate, with assistance from the other two individuals.
Further Arrests and Investigations
The investigation continued, leading to the arrest of two additional suspects, aged 29 and 30, at the Woodlands Checkpoint as they attempted to leave Singapore. The 30-year-old man is suspected of collaborating with the previously arrested individuals to facilitate the scam syndicate’s operations and retain the benefits from their criminal activities.
Further inquiries revealed that the three men aged 24, 28, and 30 had also received gold bars valued at approximately S$500,000 from a 61-year-old victim and cash amounting to at least S$21,000 from a 36-year-old victim in separate incidents.
During the operation, police seized S$22,000 in cash and at least six mobile phones as evidence.
Legal Consequences and Public Awareness
The three men are set to be charged in court on June 6, 2025, with abetment by conspiracy to assist another in retaining benefits from criminal conduct under Section 51 of the Corruption, Drug Trafficking and Other Serious Crimes (Confiscation of Benefits) Act 1992. This offense carries severe penalties, including imprisonment for up to 10 years, fines not exceeding S$500,000, or both. Investigations into the roles of the 29-year-old woman and the 29-year-old man are ongoing.
The Police have reiterated their commitment to combatting money laundering activities and have urged the public to remain vigilant. They advise individuals to reject any requests to use their bank accounts or Singpass accounts for others, especially in connection with seemingly attractive money-making opportunities that promise quick returns. Those who allow their accounts to be used for receiving and transferring money may face legal repercussions if linked to criminal activities.
For more information on scams, the public can visit www.scamshield.gov.sg or contact the ScamShield Helpline at 1799. Anyone with information regarding such scams is encouraged to call the Police Hotline at 1800-255-0000 or submit information online at www.police.gov.sg/i-witness. All information will be treated with the utmost confidentiality.Bookmark messageCopy messageExport