Five Malaysians arrested for scams targeting Singaporeans in joint transnational operation

Three men and two women were arrested in Kuala Lumpur (KL), Malaysia in a joint operation by the Singapore Police Force's (SPF) Commercial Affairs Department (CAD) and Bukit Aman Commercial Crime Investigation Department (CCID) of the Royal Malaysia Police (RMP) to cripple a transnational scam syndicate.

More than 3,000 victims have fallen prey to job scams, with total losses amounting to at least $45.7 million between Oct 1, 2023, and Jan 31, 2024, the police said in a statement.

Pursuant to these reports, SPF shared information with the RMP to detect and dismantle job scam crime syndicates targeting Singaporeans.

The Malaysian criminal syndicate that was operating in Kuala Lumpur (KL), Malaysia was located. 

Officers from the CCID/RMP conducted a raid at an apartment complex in KL on Mar 20, leading to the arrest of three male and two female Malaysians, aged between 23 and 28.

They were arrested 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. It is believed to be involved in at least 40 Singapore police reports with total losses of more than $820,000.

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

Mr David Chew, director of CAD, 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 SPF works closely with the RMP 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 police remind members of the public to be wary of proposals of scammers on dating apps or communication or 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 content.

Never pay money into unknown bank accounts to earn a commission for your work or relinquish your Singpass credentials as part of a job application.