Trio Arrested For Suspected Involvement In Money Laundering Activities

The Police have arrested three men, aged between 26 and 36, for their suspected involvement in money laundering activities linked to scams.

In early August 2024, the Police received a report on Government Officials Impersonation Scam, in which the scammer instructed the victim to transfer nearly $38,000 into a local bank account. Through follow-up investigations, officers from the Anti-Scam Command established the identity of one syndicate member, a 26-year-old man, who was believed to have facilitated the scam syndicate to acquire bank accounts to carry out money-laundering activities and arrested him on 22 August 2024 in the vicinity of Hougang. Upon his arrest, over 40 mobile phones, a cash counting machine, and over 60 SIM cards were seized as case exhibits.

Following the arrest, the officers carried out further probes and arrested two other men, aged 34 and 36, at Woodlands Checkpoint before they attempted to leave Singapore. Both men were believed to have facilitated in scam activities by acquiring handphones and SIM cards for the syndicate. Five mobile phones, four SIM cards and cash amounting to about SGD 30,000 were seized as case exhibits.

The three men will be charged in court on 24 August 2024 with the offence of abetment by conspiracy to commit cheating under Section 417 read with Section 109 of the Penal Code 1871. The offence carries an imprisonment term of up to three years, a fine, or both, for a first- time offender.

The Police take a serious view of these offences and will not hesitate to take action against individuals who may be involved in scams, and perpetrators will be dealt with in accordance with the law. To avoid being an accomplice in these crimes, members of the public should always reject seemingly attractive money-making opportunities promising fast and easy pay-outs for the use of their Singpass accounts, bank accounts, or allow their personal bank accounts to be used to receive and transfer money for others. The Police would like to remind members of the public that individuals will be held accountable if they are found to be linked to such crimes.

For more information on scams, members of the public can visit scamalert.sg or call the Anti-Scam helpline at 1800-722-6688. Anyone with information on such scams may call the Police Hotline at 1800-255 0000 or submit information online at www.police.gov.sg/i-witness. All information will be kept strictly confidential.