Youth remanded for recruiting others to buy SIM cards that were later used to make scam calls
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The 19-year-old youth pleaded guilty to eight charges over transacting SIM cards using another person’s data for criminal activity.
PHOTO: AFP
- A 19-year-old pleaded guilty to using others' data to buy SIM cards for scams and acting for an unlicensed moneylender.
- He recruited people via Telegram and in person to buy SIMs, which were then used in scams.
- Prosecution seeks reformative training due to the severity of offences; sentencing is adjourned and he is remanded for a week.
AI generated
SINGAPORE – To earn himself some fast cash, a 19-year-old recruited others to use their personal information to buy SIM cards, which were used to make scam calls.
On Sept 25, he pleaded guilty to eight charges of transacting SIM cards using another person’s personal information for criminal activity.
He also pleaded guilty to another charge of acting on behalf of an unlicensed moneylender on July 13, 2024, and one charge of allowing his personal information to be used to register for SIM cards.
He cannot be named as he was under 18 when he committed some of his offences.
According to court documents, he was contacted by a friend whom he knew as Xavier to work for him in November 2024.
Xavier told the youth that his job would involve finding people to buy SIM cards.
Xavier provided the youth with the money to cover the cost of the SIM cards.
The youth was instructed to go to SIM card retail outlets at 888 Plaza in Woodlands or near his home to meet “customers” to buy SIM cards.
These “customers” used their personal information to buy the SIM cards and handed them over to the youth before receiving payment.
The youth would then place the SIM cards in a discreet location for Xavier or his associates to collect.
He later began recruiting people via Telegram group chats to buy SIM cards, and met them to pass them money to buy the SIM cards.
After the purchase was made, the youth met them nearby to collect the SIM cards, and hand them over to Xavier, or another person he knew as “AF”.
According to court documents, the youth did not know Xavier’s and AF’s actual identities, and had no means of contacting them.
One of the SIM cards was linked to a government officer impersonation scam, which resulted in a loss of $290,850.
In January 2025, the youth also allowed Xavier to use his personal information to buy 14 SIM cards from various telcos.
One of these SIM cards was linked to a government official impersonation scam that led to the loss of $19,000.
Noting the gravity of the youth’s offences, the prosecution called for a report to determine his suitability for reformative training as he is not suitable for probation.
The judge asked for him to be remanded for a week.
If sentenced to reformative training, he will be detained in a a centre to undergo a strict regimen that can include foot drills and counselling.
In mitigation, the youth apologised for his actions and told the court: “I understand I was wrong and I fully accept the consequences.”
Before being taken away, he was allowed to speak to his mother, who accompanied him to court.
He will be sentenced at a later date.
