(Singapore, 9th) Singapore police are currently investigating 313 individuals suspected of fraud or acting as "money mules," with the total amount involved exceeding 11.9 million dollars.
The Singapore Police Force released a statement on Friday (May 9), stating that the Commercial Affairs Department, in conjunction with seven major police divisions, conducted a two-week island-wide enforcement operation from April 18 to May 8. A total of 213 men and 100 women, aged between 15 to 80, were brought in to assist with investigations.
Police indicated that these individuals were involved in over 1200 scam cases. The types of scams include impersonating friends, investment, job seeking, e-commerce, impersonating government officials, and rental scams, with a total amount exceeding 11.9 million dollars.
The suspects may face charges of fraud, money laundering, or providing payment services without a license.
If convicted of fraud, they face up to 10 years of imprisonment and fines; for money laundering, the maximum penalty is 10 years in prison, or a fine of up to 500,000 dollars, or both; for providing unlicensed payment services, the maximum penalty is 3 years in prison, or a fine of up to 125,000 dollars, or both.
The police reiterated that they will take stern action against any suspected fraudulent activities and emphasized that violators will be punished according to the law. The police also reminded the public not to hand over their bank accounts or phone numbers to others for use, to avoid becoming accomplices to fraud syndicates.
For more information on scam prevention, the public can visit the website www.scamalert.sg or call the anti-scam hotline at 1799. To report scam leads, call the police hotline at 1800-255-0000, or go online to www.police.gov.sg/i-witness to provide information, all of which will be kept confidential.
The Singapore Police Force released a statement on Friday (May 9), stating that the Commercial Affairs Department, in conjunction with seven major police divisions, conducted a two-week island-wide enforcement operation from April 18 to May 8. A total of 213 men and 100 women, aged between 15 to 80, were brought in to assist with investigations.
Police indicated that these individuals were involved in over 1200 scam cases. The types of scams include impersonating friends, investment, job seeking, e-commerce, impersonating government officials, and rental scams, with a total amount exceeding 11.9 million dollars.
The suspects may face charges of fraud, money laundering, or providing payment services without a license.
If convicted of fraud, they face up to 10 years of imprisonment and fines; for money laundering, the maximum penalty is 10 years in prison, or a fine of up to 500,000 dollars, or both; for providing unlicensed payment services, the maximum penalty is 3 years in prison, or a fine of up to 125,000 dollars, or both.
The police reiterated that they will take stern action against any suspected fraudulent activities and emphasized that violators will be punished according to the law. The police also reminded the public not to hand over their bank accounts or phone numbers to others for use, to avoid becoming accomplices to fraud syndicates.
For more information on scam prevention, the public can visit the website www.scamalert.sg or call the anti-scam hotline at 1799. To report scam leads, call the police hotline at 1800-255-0000, or go online to www.police.gov.sg/i-witness to provide information, all of which will be kept confidential.