SINGAPORE – A total of 310 people are being investigated for their suspected involvement in about 900 scam cases where victims reportedly lost more than $5.8 million.

The 896 cases of fraud comprise mainly e-commerce, investment, job, tech support, government and China officials impersonation and phishing scams, said the police on Thursday.

This was after officers from the Commercial Affairs Department and the seven police land divisions conducted a two-week operation between Oct 14 and 27.

A total of 208 men and 102 women, aged between 16 and 85, are assisting in investigations for their suspected involvement as scammers or money mules. The investigations are for the alleged offences of cheating, money laundering and providing payment services without a licence.

Scam cases have been on the rise in Singapore. A total of $227.8 million was lost to the top 10 scam types in the first six months of 2022, up from the $142.5 million lost in the same period in 2021.

The offence of cheating carries an imprisonment term of up to 10 years and a fine, while the offence of money laundering carries a jail term of up to 10 years, a fine of up to $500,000, or both.

The offence of carrying on a business to provide any type of payment service in Singapore without a licence carries a fine of up to $125,000, a jail term of up to three years, or both.

The police reminded members of the public to always reject requests by others to use their bank accounts or mobile lines as they may be linked to crimes, thereby making them accountable.