SINGAPORE: Twenty-four people aged between 15 and 34 were arrested by police for their suspected involvement in a government official impersonation scam that saw a victim being cheated of more than S$1.1 million (US$850,000).
Another nine people aged between 16 and 70 are under investigation, said the police in a news release on Sunday (Oct 26).
Police said they received a report involving the impersonation of officials from the Monetary Authority of Singapore (MAS) on Wednesday, prompting an enforcement operation over the next two days.
It was found that on Oct 14, 2025, the victim received an unsolicited call from a scammer posing as staff from M1, who claimed that the victim had an existing mobile plan contract.
When the victim denied this, the scammer offered to help with the termination and claimed that the matter would be referred to MAS for a purported investigation into an information leak.
The victim was subsequently contacted by people claiming to be MAS officers, who alleged that a bank account under his name was frozen and that he was required to safeguard all his money and assets.
Between Oct 14 and Oct 22, the victim was scammed of more than S$1.1 million after being told to surrender his funds and valuables for investigations.
The funds were transferred through various means:
