SINGAPORE - Fourteen people are being investigated for their suspected involvement in various scams involving more than $380,000, the police said on Sunday (March 4).

Six men and eight women were rounded up by officers from Ang Mo Kio Police Division during a two-day operation from Feb 28 to March 1.

The suspects, aged between 15 and 67, are being investigated for the offence of cheating, which carries a punishment of imprisonment for up to 10 years and a fine under the Penal Code, or money laundering, which carries a punishment of imprisonment for up to 10 years and/or a fine of up to S$500,000 under the Corruption, Drug Trafficking and Other Serious Crimes (Confiscation of Benefits) Act.

The police advised people to not share their personal information, such as NRIC numbers, bank account numbers, one-time passwords, or SMS verification codes with anyone, to avoid becoming a scam victim.

Other measures include buying goods only from authorised dealers, paying only on delivery whenever possible, and being aware that scammers may provide a copy of an identification card or driver's licence to gain their trust, though it it may not belong to the person communicating with them online.

" Persons found to have allowed their bank accounts to be used by criminals may also be investigated and prosecuted," said the police in a statement.

"To avoid being an accomplice to a money laundering offence, members of the public should always reject requests to use your bank accounts, as your account may be used to launder the proceeds of crime."

For scam-related advice, members of the public may call the anti-scam helpline at 1800-722- 6688 or go to www.scamalert.sg