SINGAPORE \u2013 A total of 143 people are being investigated by the police for their suspected involvement in scams where victims lost more than $3.82 million. <\/p>\n
This follows a two-week operation by officers from the Commercial Affairs Department and the seven police land divisions between Dec 19 and 30.<\/p>\n
In a statement on Dec 31, the police said the 143 people are believed to be involved in more than 400 cases of scams, comprising mainly e-commerce scams, friend impersonation scams, job scams, government official impersonation scams, investment scams and rental scams. <\/p>\n
Those under investigation comprise 41 women and 102 men, aged between 16 and 79, and are suspected of being scammers or money mules.<\/p>\n
They are being investigated for the alleged offences of cheating, money laundering or providing payment services without a licence, the police said. <\/p>\n
<\/p>\n With effect from Dec 30, 2025<\/p>\n <\/a>, scammers and members or recruiters of scam syndicates will face mandatory caning of at least six strokes, which can go up to 24 strokes.<\/p>\n Scam mules who enable scammers by laundering scam proceeds and providing SIM cards and Singpass credentials will face discretionary caning of up to 12 strokes.<\/p>\n The police advise members of the public to always reject requests from others to use their bank account or mobile lines.<\/p>\n For more information on scams, members of the public can visit <\/p>\n www.scamshield.gov.sg<\/p>\n <\/a><\/p>\n <\/a><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<\/picture><\/div>\n