Jail for man linked to Cambodia scam syndicate that targeted S’poreans; victims lost over $52m

Lim then knew that both Tan and Ng were working at a scam centre, and Ng was its boss, said the prosecution.

The deputy public prosecutors stated in court documents that Tan was working as a recruiter for the syndicate in 2024.

Later that year, Tan asked Lim if he knew anyone willing to work in a casino in Cambodia. Lim would be paid up to $10,000 for a successful referral.

Lim roped in an acquaintance, who became a scam caller.

Singapore’s Criminal Investigation Department later received information that an organised criminal group based in Phnom Penh was conducting scams targeting Singapore-based victims.

The DPPs said the victims were between 26 and 84 years old, and at least 90 of them were aged 65 and above. These 90 victims lost about $11.8 million.

On Sept 9, 2025, officers from the Singapore Police Force (SPF) and their Cambodian counterparts conducted raids in Singapore and Phnom Penh.

The SPF arrested 15 people in Singapore.

Lim was on holiday with his family in China, and was arrested two days later when he returned to Singapore.

To date, SPF has arrested 21 people, including him.

As of June 2026, there are Interpol red notices issued against at least 30 other suspected members who are at large.

Police in other countries can be on the lookout for an offender once such a notice is issued.

The red notice can be used to support extradition proceedings after the offender’s arrest.

Some other offenders linked to the group were dealt with in court earlier.

De Villar Rizalyn Panganiban, 35, a Filipina, was sentenced to two years and one month in jail in August.

In an unrelated case, Lim approached Bryan Peh Jia Hao, 22, in 2023 to ask if the younger man was interested in smuggling puppies from Malaysia for $250 to $300 per animal.

Peh later smuggled multiple puppies in a plastic container in a car boot.

He was sentenced to 16 weeks’ jail in January.