Five Persons Arrested In Joint Transnational Scam Operation By Singapore Police Force And Royal Malaysia Police

On 20 March 2024, Commercial Affairs Department (CAD) of the Singapore Police Force (SPF) and Bukit Aman Commercial Crime Investigation Department (CCID) of the Royal Malaysia Police (RMP) conducted a joint operation in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, to cripple a transnational scam syndicate.

Between 1 October 2023 and 31 January 2024, more than 3,000 victims have fallen prey to job scams, with total losses amounting to at least $45.7 million. Pursuant to these reports, the SPF carried out extensive investigative probes and shared information with the RMP in order to detect and dismantle job scam crime syndicates targeting Singaporeans. The efforts paid off when the Malaysian criminal syndicate that was operating in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia was located. On 20 March 2024, officers from CCID/RMP conducted a raid at an apartment complex in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, leading to the arrest of three male and two female Malaysians, aged between 23 and 28, for their suspected involvement in laundering proceeds of job and other scams targeting Singaporeans. Preliminary investigations revealed that the syndicate started their scam operations early this year. The syndicate is believed to be involved in at least 40 Singapore police reports, with total losses of more than $820,000.

The five Malaysians are remanded by CCID/RMP for further investigation.

Director CAD, Mr David Chew said, "Job scams were the top scam type in terms of number of cases reported in 2023 and the second highest scam type in terms of losses to victims. Job scams continue to rise in 2024 and is a crime of serious concern. To counter this transnational scam threat, the Singapore Police Force works closely with the Royal Malaysia Police to detect and deter these transnational syndicates who target our citizens. I would like to thank Director CCID, Commissioner Dato' Sri Ramli Mohamed Yoosuf and his officers for their strong support and commitment in tackling transnational crime syndicates who prey on our citizens. We will continue to take tough action to afford these criminals no safe haven. Working with our foreign counterparts, we will detect, disable and bring to justice criminal syndicates wherever they choose to operate".

The best defence against this persistent threat of job scams is a vigilant public. The Police remind members of the public to be wary of proposals of scammers on dating apps or communication/social media platforms offering them easy commission to perform tasks such as boosting products on e-commerce platforms, completing surveys, or generating traction on social media contents. You should never pay money into unknown bank accounts to earn a commission for your work. You should never relinquish your Singpass credential as part of job application.

The Police would like to advise members of the public to adopt the following precautionary measures:

1. ADD - ScamShield App and set security features (e.g., enable two-factor (2FA) or multifactor authentication for banks, social media, Singpass accounts; set transaction limits on internet banking transactions, including PayNow)
   
   
2. CHECK - for scam signs with official sources (e.g. visit www.scamalert.sg or call the Anti-Scam hotline on 1800-722-6688). Verify whether the request is legitimate by checking with your family and friends through alternative means such as physical meet-ups, video calls or email other than using the new contact details on your phone.
   
   
3. TELL - authorities, family, and friends about scams. Beware of unusual requests from someone purporting to be someone you know via texts or phone/WhatsApp calls. Report the number to WhatsApp to initiate in-app blocking.

Exhibits seized during CCID's raid (Photos credit - CCID RMP) ▼