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Police investigating 624 suspected scammers, money mules
The police said the suspects are believed to be involved in scams that caused losses of over S$21 million.
SINGAPORE – Following a two-week operation between 7 and 20 July, police are now investigating some 421 men and 203 women, aged between 16 and 71, for their suspected involvement in scams as scammers or money mules.
In a statement on Monday (24 July), the police said the suspects are believed to be involved in more than 2,600 cases of scams with losses of over S$21 million. These comprise mainly job scams, Internet love scams, e-commerce scams, loan scams, government officials impersonation scams and phishing scams.
The police said that "the suspects are being investigated for the alleged offences of cheating, money laundering or providing payment services without a licence."
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The offence of cheating under Section 420 of the Penal Code 1871 carries a prison term of up to 10 years and a fine.
The offence of money laundering under the Corruption, Drug Trafficking and Other Serious Crimes (Confiscation of Benefits) Act 1992 carries a jail term of up to 10 years, a fine of up to S$500,000, or both.
The offence of carrying on a business to provide any type of payment service in Singapore without a licence under Section 5 of the Payment Services Act 2019 carries a fine of up to S$125,000, an imprisonment term of up to three years, or both.
"To avoid being an accomplice to crimes, members of the public should always reject requests by others to use your bank account or mobile lines as you will be held accountable if these are linked to crimes," the police advised.
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