SINGAPORE \u2013 A 15-year-old is among 268 people being investigated for their suspected roles in ruses linked to more than $4.66 million in losses, following a two-week operation by the police. <\/p>\n
In a statement on Dec 4, the police said the group, allegedly involved in more than 800 scams, comprises 177 men and 91 women. The oldest assisting with investigations is 78.<\/p>\n
The scams comprised mainly e-commerce scams, friend impersonation scams, job scams, government official impersonation scams, investment scams and rental scams.<\/p>\n
The individuals are being investigated for cheating, money laundering or providing payment services without a licence, following the operation between Nov 21 and Dec 4.<\/p>\n
Those found guilty of cheating can be jailed for up to 10 years and fined.<\/p>\n
Those convicted of money laundering face a jail term of up to 10 years, a fine of up to $500,000, or both.<\/p>\n
Those found guilty of carrying on a business to provide any type of payment service in Singapore without a licence can be fined up to $125,000, imprisoned for up to three years, or both.<\/p>\n
Under the Criminal Law (Miscellaneous Amendments) Bill passed on Nov 4, scammers, and members and recruiters of scam syndicates will face <\/p>\n mandatory caning of at least six strokes<\/p>\n <\/a>.<\/p>\n This can go up to 24 strokes, depending on the severity of the offence.<\/p>\n Scam mules who enable scammers by laundering scam proceeds, providing SIM cards and providing Singpass credentials will face discretionary caning of up to 12 strokes.<\/p>\n More than <\/p>\n $456.4 million was lost to scams<\/p>\n <\/a> in the first half of 2025 in Singapore, with almost 20,000 cases reported.<\/p>\n In 2024, <\/p>\n scam victims in Singapore lost $1.1 billion<\/p>\n <\/a>, marking a record high in losses suffered in a single year.<\/p>\n The public should not allow others to use their bank account or mobile lines, as they would be held accountable if these accounts are linked to crimes, the police said.<\/p>\n People can visit <\/p>\n www.scamshield.gov.sg<\/p>\n <\/a> or call the ScamShield helpline on 1799 for more information.<\/p>\n Anyone with information on such scams may call the police hotline on 1800-255-000 or submit information online at <\/p>\n www.police.gov.sg\/i-witness<\/p>\n <\/a><\/p>\n All information will be kept strictly confidential, said the police.<\/p>\n <\/a><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<\/picture><\/div>\n