A vigilant United Overseas Bank (UOB) employee helped the police arrest a 20-year-old Malaysian man suspected of assisting in a government official impersonation scam (GOIS). The swift action not only prevented further losses but also exposed how the syndicate operated.
On 27 August 2025, the man attempted to encash a suspicious cheque at a UOB branch. The bank staff flagged the transaction, and with close coordination between the Anti-Scam Command (ASCom) and Tanglin Police Division, the suspect was tracked down and arrested within an hour.
Preliminary investigations revealed that he had allegedly encashed cheques worth S$200,000, linked to a scam involving a 62-year-old woman. The victim was told over the phone that she was under investigation by a supposed police officer and needed to surrender funds. She was instructed to hand over her cheque book with pre-signed blank cheques, and even coached on how to respond if bank staff questioned her.
How the Scam Was Thwarted
The suspect had managed to cash several cheques across different bank branches before UOB escalated their concerns. Police intervention stopped him from withdrawing another S$50,000. A cheque book found in his possession was seized as evidence.
Investigations further uncovered that the man had entered Singapore several times in August 2025 to collect and deliver cash for the syndicate. He is believed to have played a role in helping the scammers launder proceeds from victims.
He now faces a court charge for abetment by conspiracy to assist another to retain benefits from criminal conduct under Section 51 of the Corruption, Drug Trafficking and Other Serious Crimes (Confiscation of Benefits) Act 1992. If convicted, he could be jailed for up to 10 years, fined up to S$500,000, or both.
Police Warning to the Public
Authorities stressed that government officers will never:
- Ask for money transfers,
- Request banking log-in details,
- Instruct downloads of unofficial apps, or
- Transfer calls to the police.
Members of the public are urged to remain vigilant and not hand over money or valuables to strangers. Anyone with information about scams should call the Police Hotline at 1800-255-0000, submit details via www.police.gov.sg/i-witness, or call 999 in emergencies.
For scam prevention advice, the public can visit www.scamshield.gov.sg or call the ScamShield Helpline at 1799.