POLICE INVESTIGATE 295 SCAMMERS AND MONEY MULES IN ISLAND-WIDE ENFORCEMENT OPERATION

• Published date: 27 May 2022
• Publication title: ASEAN Tribune

27 May 2022 (Singapore Police Force) Officers from the Commercial Affairs Department and the seven Police Land Divisions conducted a two week operation between 14 and 26 May 2022. A total of 199 men and 96 women, aged between 16 and 80, are currently assisting in investigations for their suspected involvement in scams as scammers or money mules. The suspects are believed to be involved in more than 746 cases of scams, comprising mainly business email impersonation scams, Government Officials impersonation scams, e-commerce scams, internet love scams, investment scams, job scams, loan scams, and rental scams where victims lost more than $5.5 million.

The suspects are being investigated for the alleged offences of cheating, money laundering or providing payment services without a licence. The offence of cheating under Section 420 of the Penal Code 1871 carries an imprisonment 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 1992 carries an imprisonment term not exceeding 10 years...