1-7-2023 (SINGAPORE) Three Singaporeans were apprehended in Malaysia on Monday (Jun 26) due to their suspected involvement in a money laundering scam. Two of them have been extradited to Singapore, while the third individual remains under investigation in Malaysia.
The Royal Malaysia Police (RMP) conducted a raid on an apartment complex in Johor, resulting in the arrest of the three men. Aged between 26 and 40, these individuals are believed to have played a role in laundering funds connected to over 50 scam cases reported in Singapore, which included investment, job, and impersonation scams. The total losses from these scams amounted to more than S$2.9 million (US$2.1 million).
Preliminary investigations suggest that the suspects obtained Singaporean bank accounts through various chat platforms, such as Telegram and Facebook, in order to facilitate the laundering of the syndicate’s illicit proceeds. The joint efforts of the RMP and the Singapore Police Force (SPF) led to the identification of the money laundering syndicate operating in Johor.
Two of the extradited suspects, aged 34 and 26, will face charges in court on Saturday for assisting another individual in retaining benefits from criminal activities. If convicted, they may face a fine of up to S$500,000, imprisonment for up to 10 years, or both. The third suspect is currently under investigation by the RMP for a separate offense committed in Malaysia.
Senior Assistant Commissioner of Police Shee Tek Tze, Deputy Director of SPF’s Commercial Affairs Department, emphasized that scammers are constantly seeking new bank accounts to aid their money laundering activities. He warned the public against falling for offers of quick financial gains, particularly those received through platforms like Telegram or Facebook, which involve the use of their bank accounts.
SAC Shee expressed gratitude to the Malaysian authorities for their strong support and commitment in tackling transnational scam syndicates targeting Singaporean citizens. He affirmed that the Singapore Police Force will continue to collaborate closely with the Royal Malaysia Police to combat such criminal organizations.
