S’porean man, 27, deported from Vietnam & arrested for allegedly being part of Cambodia-based syndicate

A 27-year-old Singaporean man, Lam Yong Yan, has been arrested for allegedly being involved in government official impersonation scams targeting victims in Singapore.

The arrest was made by the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) of the Singapore Police Force (SPF) after he was deported from Vietnam.

Suspected to be part of Cambodia-based scam group

Lam is believed to be a member of an organised criminal group based in Phnom Penh, Cambodia.

The syndicate is believed to be linked to at least 528 reported scam cases, involving total losses amounting to about S$53 million, SPF said.

They operated from a scam compound that was disrupted during a joint operation by the SPF and the Cambodian National Police on Sep. 9, 2025.

Lam was detained by the Ministry of Public Security (MPS) of Vietnam for immigration offences on Nov. 19, 2025.

He was among the 36 suspects wanted by the SPF for being part of an organised criminal group.

Lam was deported to Singapore on Nov. 6 after MPS Vietnam completed their investigations.

SPF arrested Lam upon his arrival.

He will be charged in court on Nov. 7, 2026 with facilitating the commission of a serious offence, in furtherance of the illegal purpose of a locally linked organised criminal group.

The offence carries a jail term of up to five years, a fine of up to S$100,000, or both.

Julius Lim, director of CID, expressed his appreciation to MPS Vietnam.

"Those who prey on victims in Singapore should know that crossing borders does not put them beyond the reach of the law. The SPF will work with our international partners to hold them accountable, however far they go,” Lim said.

List of 36 wanted suspects