S'pore police investigating 311 scammers & money mules aged 16-94 for scams

They are believed to be involved in a total of 866 cases.

Matthias Ang | June 19, 2021, 01:28 PM

A total of 219 men and 92 women, between the ages of 16 and 94, are being investigated by the Singapore police for cheating, money laundering or providing payment services without a licence.

They are assisting the police for their suspected involvement in scams, as either scammers or money mules, according to a press release by the Singapore Police Force (SPF).

Involved in a total of 866 cases

The suspects are believed to be involved in 866 cases of scams, comprising largely of:

  • Business email impersonation scams,
  • Internet love scams,
  • e-commerce scams,
  • government official impersonation scams,
  • China officials impersonation scams,
  • investment scams,
  • job scams,
  • fake gambling platform scams, and
  • loan scams.

Victims of the scams have lost more than S$8.2 million.

The ongoing investigation into the 311 suspects was the result of a two-weeks operation conducted between June 5 and 18, by officers from the Commercial Affairs Department and seven police land divisions.

Punishment

Under Section 420 of the Penal Code, the offence of cheating carries a jail 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 carries an imprisonment term of up to 10 years, a fine of up to S$500,000, or both.

As for the offence of providing payment services without a licence, those convicted face a fine of up to S$125,000, a jail term of up three years, or both.

Top image by Pickawood via Unsplash