M'sian man, 36, allegedly collected over S$12,000 cash & valuables in govt official impersonation scam

A 36-year-old Malaysian man, Yeap Chong Siah, was charged in court on Jan. 28 for his suspected involvement in multiple cases of government official impersonation scams.

On Feb. 2, he was brought to 44 Beo Crescent, where he allegedly previously collected cash and valuables from one of the victims, in a re-enactment by the police.

Yeap is accused of assisting a scam syndicate by collecting cash and valuables from victims who were deceived into thinking they were under investigation by government authorities, according to the Singapore Police Force.

Victim allegedly deceived into surrendering cash and valuables

On Jan. 5, police received a report from a victim who said she had been contacted by scammers claiming that she had purchased an insurance policy and that her personal information had been misused.

The call was subsequently transferred to another individual who purported to be from the Monetary Authority of Singapore (MAS).

The victim was told that she was suspected of involvement in money laundering activities and was instructed to surrender her money and valuables for investigation purposes.

Believing the claims to be genuine, the victim handed over more than S$12,000 in cash, along with an assortment of valuables, to unknown individuals acting on the scammers’ instructions.

Man arrested following police investigations

Following extensive ground enquiries and follow-up investigations, officers from the Anti-Scam Command identified one of the individuals who had collected the cash and valuables from the victim.

Yeap was then arrested on Jan. 26.

Police said that prior to his arrest, he had also allegedly collected an assortment of valuables from another victim.

These items were later recovered, and several mobile phones were seized as case exhibits.

Preliminary investigations indicate that Yeap is believed to be involved in other similar scam cases and had facilitated the operations of the scam syndicate.

Yeap was charged with 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 faces a jail term of up to 10 years, a fine of up to S$500,000, or both.

Scene revisit

The accused was brought to 44 Beo Crescent on Feb. 2, at around 2:30pm.

He was clad in a white shirt and dark blue shorts, shuffling along as he was escorted by two police officers on either side of him.

Yeap, with his hands and feet cuffed, mostly kept his head down while the media observed the proceedings, flanked on both sides of the corridor that he walked down.

While the police prompted him with questions, he mostly looked around blankly without answering or merely nodded.

As he was led down the corridor, police officers periodically asked him in Malay where the scene of the alleged crime had occurred.

He responded by pointing further down the corridor, continuing forward with the officers until they eventually stopped near the lift lobby.

One of the police officers then proceeded to question Yeap further, to which he nodded in response.

The accused was taken away from the scene of the crime at around 3:11 pm.

Police warn of rising trend

Police said they have observed an increasing trend of Malaysian nationals travelling to Singapore to assist scam syndicates in collecting cash, gold and valuables from victims.

With effect from Dec. 30, 2025, scammers and members or recruiters of scam syndicates face mandatory caning of at least six strokes, which may extend to 24 strokes.

Scam mules involved in laundering scam proceeds may also face discretionary caning of up to 12 strokes, depending on the offence.

The police reminded members of the public never to transfer money or hand over valuables to unknown persons, and stressed that Singapore government officials will never request such actions over the phone.

Members of the public who have information about scams or are in doubt are encouraged to contact the police or ScamShield hotline for assistance.

Top photos via Mothership