3 more alleged syndicate members linked to scam centre in Cambodia charged

SINGAPORE – Three more alleged members of a scam syndicate – believed to be responsible for at least 330 reported cases involving over $40 million in losses – have been charged.

The three Singaporean men are: Justin Chen Junxi, 25; Zandon Lim Yu Han, 27; and Callurn Lim Yuan Jin, 33.

In an earlier statement, the police said that the

syndicate operated out of a scam centre in Phnom Penh, Cambodia,

but targeted victims in Singapore.

Twelve other alleged members of the syndicate

– nine Singaporeans, two Malaysians and a Filipina – were charged in court on Sept 11.

According to court documents, all 15 are alleged to be members of a locally linked organised criminal group. Their cases have been adjourned to Sept 18.

In a statement on Sept 10, the Singapore Police Force (SPF) said it had worked with the Cambodian National Police (CNP) in a cross-border operation and disrupted the syndicate behind government official impersonation scams in Singapore.

During the joint operation on Sept 9, officers from SPF’s Criminal Investigation Department and Police Intelligence Department conducted raids at multiple locations across the island at places such as apartments and hotel rooms. Multiple people were arrested soon after.

The Anti-Cyber Crime Department of the CNP also carried out raids at a building and a warehouse in Phnom Penh, uncovering electronic devices and equipment that the syndicate could have used to perpetrate such scams.

An SPF spokesperson said that during the joint operation, the authorities seized items, including $2.5 million worth of funds from bank accounts and cryptocurrency wallets, and copies of scripts used to commit the offences.

Since December 2024, SPF has received reports of cases where scammers pretended to be government officials and asked victims to surrender their money for “investigation purposes”.

The victims then transferred their money into accounts which the syndicate controlled.