SINGAPORE – A Malaysian freelance electrician entered Singapore four times to install nine telecommunication devices that were used in a syndicated operation to broadcast scam calls linked to more than $1.6 million in losses.
Tapping his 15-year experience as an electrician, Chong Wei Hao installed the devices in an apartment he had rented, and they were later used in the ruse.
On April 2, Chong, 42, who knew the devices would be used for illegal purposes, was sentenced to five years and three months’ jail, and a fine of $895.
He had pleaded guilty to one count of being part of a criminal conspiracy to commit cheating.
Court documents stated that Chong went on messaging platform Telegram in November 2024 to look for employment and came across an advertisement that promised a monthly salary of RM3,000 (S$950).
He then spoke to a Telegram user, known only as “NASA”, said Deputy Public Prosecutor Hidayat Amir.
According to Chong, NASA said he would be given an advance payment of 700 USDT cryptocurrency (S$895, based on court documents), in exchange for tasks including renting an apartment in Singapore.
Chong agreed to work for NASA and entered Singapore on March 9, 2025, on a one-day trip to look for a rental apartment.
He came across a rental advertisement on Facebook and viewed an apartment that day. Details about the unit have been redacted from court documents. Chong asked for the unit to be equipped with high-speed broadband. The landlord agreed to do so.
DPP Hidayat said: “(Chong) lied that he was the manager of a dim sum shop, and that the unit would be occupied by female employees… He did so to convince (the landlord) to rent the unit to him.
“When (the landlord) asked for his particulars, he forwarded a photo of an ID of a Malaysian female, which had been given by NASA, and lied… that she would be one of the occupants.”
In reality, Chong did not know the woman.
