2 men & 2 women arrested in Tuas for allegedly fraudulently registering SIM cards used in scams

On Jun. 4, 2026, police officers from the Anti-Scam Command arrested two men and two women, age between 26 and 38, in the vicinity of Tuas for their suspected involvement in fraudulently registering SIM cards.

Another three men, aged between 30 and 65, are assisting in investigations.

SIM cards were to be used by overseas scammers

This was part of an enforcement operation against errant retailers engaged in the registration of postpaid SIM cards which were subsequently used by overseas syndicates to perpetrate scams.

Preliminary investigations by the police revealed that the 34-year-old man and two women had used the information of actual customers to pre-register for additional postpaid SIM cards and the 26-year-old man was in the process of being taught to do so.

The mobile lines that were registered were subsequently used in impersonation scams.

The four arrested will be charged in court on Saturday (Jun. 6) for the facilitation of fraudulent registration of SIM cards that facilitate criminal activity.

This offence carries a fine of up to S$10,000 or to imprisonment for a term not exceeding three years, or to both.

If convicted, the individual may be liable to caning of up to 12 strokes.

Scammers may be caned

The police takes a serious view of SIM cards being misused as a conduit for crimes and will not hesitate to take action against retailers who fraudulently register additional SIM cards without authorisation, allowing others to use their SIM cards, helping other individuals to register or holding multiple SIM cards without a legitimate reason.

Under the Facility Restriction Framework, individuals involved in such mule related offences, whether they are under investigation and assessed to be at risk, or have been warned, issued with composition sums, prosecuted, or convicted, may be prohibited from subscribing to new mobile lines to prevent further facilitation of scams.

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

Scam mules who enable scammers by laundering scam proceeds, providing SIM cards and providing Singpass credentials will face discretionary caning of up to 12 strokes.