Transnational Money Laundering Syndicate Crippled Through Joint Operation By Singapore Police Force, Hong Kong Police Force And Interpol

The Singapore Police Force (SPF), in collaboration with the Hong Kong Police Force (HKPF) and INTERPOL, had successfully crippled a transnational money laundering syndicate operating in Hong Kong, which was responsible for laundering criminal proceeds deriving from Technical Support Scams perpetrated in Singapore and other scams in Hong Kong.

Between January and July 2024, the SPF had received 185 reports pertaining to Technical Support Scams, resulting in total losses of at least SGD 17.9 million. In this scam variant, the victims would receive screen pop-ups on their laptops or desktops, claiming that their electronic devices had been compromised by malware and to seek immediate help from Microsoft or Apple technical support. The pop-up alerts would contain contact number(s) for victims to call for technical support. When victims called the number(s), scammers impersonating Microsoft or Apple tech support employees would claim that the victims' devices had been compromised by "hackers" and were being used for illegal activities. Following this, the scammers would instruct victims to access websites and/or download software that would grant scammers remote access to their devices.

Subsequently, the scammers would direct the victims to log into their i-Banking accounts on the pretext of helping to apprehend the "hackers". When victims did so, the scammers would capture the victim's internet banking ID and password. Thereafter, the scammers would use the remote access function to perform unauthorised transactions using the victim's bank account. In some cases, the scammer would guide victims to create cryptocurrency accounts or provide One-Time Passwords to authorise i-Banking transactions. Victims would only realise that they had been scammed when they discovered unauthorised transfers or deductions from their bank accounts.

Between 9 and 12 August 2024, following extensive information sharing and joint investigations by Commercial Affairs Department (CAD) of the SPF and HKPF, officers from the HKPF raided three premises in Hong Kong and arrested one mastermind of the syndicate, three syndicate members and three money mules, aged between 33 and 43. Cash amounting to HK$300,000 and over 60 bank cards were recovered and seized as case exhibits. Through further follow-up investigations, another HK$1.3 million of crime proceeds were successfully recovered.

Through intelligence sharing from HKPF, the SPF have arrested a 23-year-old male Singaporean for his involvement in money laundering activities. Investigations revealed that he had relinquished his bank account to a criminal syndicate associated with the money-laundering syndicate which was busted by HKPF. Investigations are ongoing.

Director of CAD, Mr David Chew said, "The transnational tech-support scam syndicate target unsuspecting victims in many jurisdictions, including Singapore. The false screen pop up was a ruse to phish for the victim's internet banking credentials and the abuse of the remote access software allowed scammers to remotely control the victim's computer to make unauthorized banking transactions. The criminal proceeds generated by this tech-support scam were laundered through Hong Kong. Cross-border collaboration facilitated by INTERPOL was key to dismantling this foreign syndicate and deny them the fruits of their labour. The SPF will continue to collaborate closely with INTERPOL and our counterparts in the HKPF to prevent, detect and deter transnational crime syndicates from victimising our citizens. I would like to thank the INTERPOL, and the HKPF for their strong support and commitment in our joint fight against these scam syndicates."

The SPF remains committed to working with international law enforcement agencies, including the INTERPOL, and the HKPF, to combat transnational crimes and protect the public from falling victim to such scams. Members of the public are reminded to exercise caution and vigilance when confronted by urgent unsolicited computer screen messages requesting that you to click on web-links, make calls for technical support services or download unauthorised remote access software.

Members of the public are advised to take the following steps immediately if they believe that they have fallen prey to technical support scams:

• Turn off your computer immediately to stop any further unauthorized access to your computer and digital banking services by scammers.
• Uninstall any software that you have installed at the instructions of the scammers;
• Perform a full anti-virus scan on your computer and delete any malware detected;
• Report the incident to your bank to halt further activities relating to your bank account(s);
• Change your Internet banking credentials and remove any unauthorised payees who may have been added to your bank accounts, and
• Report the incident to the bank and the Police.