2 S'poreans caught working in scam centres in Thailand & Cambodia, deported & arrested in S'pore

Two Singaporean men, both aged 44, will be charged in court on Nov. 13 for scam-related offences.

They are believed to have been involved in scam operations in Thailand and Cambodia respectively.

Both were deported by the relevant immigration authorities and arrested upon arrival in Singapore on Nov. 11.

Scams targeted S'poreans

The first man was apprehended by the Royal Thai Police (RTP) during a raid in Bangkok, Thailand.

The Singapore Police Force said he was allegedly part of a transnational syndicate operating a scam centre in Myanmar.

The centre targeted Singaporeans through Government Officials Impersonation Scams (GOIS).

He had travelled to Myanmar to be involved in administrative functions at the centre, but fled to Thailand after the centre was raided by Myanmar authorities.

The man also allegedly relinquished his personal bank account in Singapore and allowed criminal syndicates to move suspicious funds into the account.

He will be charged with abetment to commit unauthorised access to computer material.

The offence carries an imprisonment term of up to two years, a fine, or both.

Acted as translator for scam syndicate

The second man was arrested by the Cambodia National Police.

He allegedly worked as a translator for a transnational scam syndicate operating from Krong Bavet, Cambodia.

Like the first man, his Singaporean bank accounts was allegedly used to receive illicit funds from scam activities.

He will be charged with offences of abetment by conspiracy to cheat and possessing property reasonably suspected to be benefits from criminal conduct.

For the first offence, he may be jailed up to three years, fined, or both.

For the second, he may face an imprisonment term of up to three years, a fine not exceeding S$150,000, or both. 

Unique local knowledge

Apart from taking action against local money mules, SPF said it works with international law enforcement partners to identify, target, and disrupt scam centre operators. 

It was informed of these two arrests through intelligence from its international law enforcement parters, it said.

As scams evolve, syndicates may recruit Singaporeans with "unique local knowledge" to target victims, said David Chew, director of the Commercial Affairs Department.

"GOIS cases cause immense harm to victims and the Singapore Police Force will spare no effort, working within the ambit of our laws, to bring these criminals back home to face justice."

Members of the public who may have information are advised to contact the police via the SPF hotline at 1800-255-0000, or +65 6255 0000 for overseas callers, or submit information online.

For more information on scams, visit the ScamShield website or call the 24/7 ScamShield Helpline at 1799. 

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