(Bandar Seri Begawan, 16th) The Cyber Crime Investigation Unit under the Criminal Investigation Department of the Royal Brunei Police Force has recently succeeded in busting a crime syndicate involved in renting out bank accounts. This group is alleged to have received and transferred illegal funds, with related criminal activities including fraud and online gambling.
The case was uncovered during an inspection operation recently conducted by the Royal Brunei Customs and Excise Department at the Sungai 7 Control Post. Enforcement officers discovered several local bank ATM cards and other contraband items in a vehicle with a foreign number plate, and immediately detained two foreign nationals at the scene. Subsequently, the police were notified and launched a further investigation.
Police investigations revealed that this arrest operation was a significant breakthrough in exposing the crime syndicate. The bank account rental group is believed to have been actively operating since January 2025, and had established a systematic network for illegal fund transfers.
Investigations found that the group recruited bank account holders via social media platforms, offering them rewards for “renting out their accounts.” Participants were then added into closed chat groups to receive coordinated instructions and fund transfer arrangements.
Up to now, the police have successfully arrested a foreign national (alleged to be an intermediary of the group) as well as 48 local “money mule” account holders. The ages of those involved range from 20 to 56, showing that the group manipulates people of all ages and from various strata of society to participate in illegal activities.
All arrested individuals will be prosecuted, facing charges under: the Computer Misuse Act (Chapter 194), Section 3: Unauthorized Access; Section 8: Unauthorized Disclosure of Access Code; the Criminal Asset Recovery Order 2012, Section 3: Money Laundering; and Section 37: Failure to Declare Cross-border Cash Transfer.
The police remind the public that renting out or handing over personal bank accounts for others to use is a serious offense. Do not break the law for monetary temptation. The public is also urged to report any suspicious financial activity to the authorities immediately.
The police also highly commended the Royal Brunei Customs and Excise Department for their close cooperation and strong support in this operation, stating that interdepartmental collaboration was key to successfully arresting all suspects involved and dismantling the criminal syndicate.