302 people probed over scams involving over $10.8m in losses

SINGAPORE - A total of 302 people are being investigated by the police for their suspected involvement in scams where victims lost over $10.8 million.

The police said on July 4 that they rounded up 218 men and 84 women, aged between 15 and 74, for their suspected involvement in scams as scammers or money mules.

This occurred during a two-week operation between June 20 and July 3.

The police said that the suspects are believed to have been involved in more than 940 cases of scams.

The cases comprise investment, job, e-commerce and rental scams, as well as impersonation scams which include those where fraudsters pose as government officials.

The suspects are being investigated for the alleged offences of cheating, money laundering, or providing payment services without a licence.

Those found guilty of cheating can be jailed for up to 10 years and fined.

Convicted money launderers can be jailed for up to 10 years, face a fine of up to $500,000, or both.

Carrying on a business to provide any type of payment service without a licence is punishable with an imprisonment term of up to three years, a fine of up to $125,000, or both.

For more information on scams, members of the public can visit www.scamshield.gov.sg or contact the ScamShield helpline on 1799.

To report scams, call the police hotline on 1800-255-0000.