24-1-2025 (SINGAPORE) Authorities have arrested 16 Malaysian nationals who allegedly operated a sophisticated scam operation targeting Singapore residents. The suspects, with ages ranging from 24 to 43, were apprehended during a coordinated raid at a Kuala Lumpur office complex on 13 January.
The operation, which marks a successful collaboration between Singapore and Malaysian law enforcement agencies, has dealt a substantial blow to a criminal enterprise linked to more than 50 reported cases of fraud, with estimated losses surpassing S$1.4 million.
The arrests come amid mounting concerns over the surge in government impersonation scams, which have plagued Singapore throughout the past year. Police records indicate that between January and October 2024, approximately 1,100 cases were reported, with victims suffering combined losses of roughly S$120 million.
David Chew, who heads Singapore Police Force’s Commercial Affairs Department, highlighted the criminals’ sophisticated methodology, noting their misuse of Singapore-registered SIM cards to pose as banking and law enforcement officials.
The syndicate’s modus operandi typically began with unsolicited calls to victims, with fraudsters claiming to represent major banks including DBS, OCBC, UOB, and Standard Chartered. Victims would be informed of supposedly suspicious credit card activities or unauthorised transactions linked to their accounts.
In an elaborate scheme designed to appear legitimate, calls would be transferred to accomplices masquerading as officers from either the Singapore Police Force or the Monetary Authority of Singapore. The deception extended to video calls, where scammers would present themselves in official-looking settings, complete with agency logos and counterfeit badges.
The criminals would then escalate their manipulation through WhatsApp communications, often producing fabricated warrant cards and official documentation to enhance their credibility. Victims were typically accused of involvement in money laundering operations and coerced into transferring funds to supposedly secure government “safety accounts.”
“These criminals employed fear tactics to compel victims into making bank transfers to accounts controlled by money mules,” Chew explained. He further emphasised the ongoing commitment to international law enforcement cooperation, stating that Singapore authorities will maintain their robust partnership with the Royal Malaysia Police to dismantle such criminal networks.
