News analysis
More needs to be done to educate young on grave consequences of criminal activities
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Recent reports seem to suggest more young people are getting involved in serious crimes, including scams and smuggling.
ST PHOTO: JASON QUAH
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- Singapore sees a rise in young citizens involved in serious crimes, both locally and abroad, including scams and smuggling.
- Recent cases involve large syndicates, with 27 Singaporeans wanted in Cambodia for a $41 million scam, led by 32-year-old Ng Wei Liang.
- Data indicates youth crime remains low, but there were spikes in weapon-related offences.
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SINGAPORE – Recent arrest reports indicate a worrying trend of young people immersing themselves in serious criminal activities in Singapore and overseas.
They include the 27 Singaporeans placed on the wanted list
The syndicate was led by Ng Wei Liang, 32.
Of the 12 alleged associates arrested and charged in court under the Organised Crime Act, nine are Singaporeans aged between 25 and 39.
According to the Singapore Police Force (SPF), the syndicate has been linked to 438 scam cases involving losses of at least $41 million.
Recent reports seem to suggest more young people are getting involved in major crimes, including smuggling.
After SPF dismantled a large vape syndicate
Some young individuals have taken their criminal enterprise overseas.
Ivan Tan Zhi Xuan, a 31-year-old Nanyang Technological University dropout, was arrested in June in Kuala Lumpur when police in Malaysia, working with South Korea’s National Intelligence Service, busted a smuggling syndicate that was attempting to push cocaine-laced vaporisers in South Korea.
The four men in the gang, which included a Malaysian, were charged
If convicted, they face the death penalty, or life imprisonment with caning.
One of the youngest to be implicated in a serious crime is 21-year-old Malone Lam.
He is potentially facing a lengthy jail sentence in the US in connection with the theft of Bitcoin valued at more than US$240 million
In more recent news, a 32-year-old Singaporean has been implicated in one of the largest financial fraud takedowns in history.
Nigel Tang Wan Bao Nabil, 32, was one of three Singaporeans sanctioned
US investigators alleged that Fujian-born Chen, who is at large, ran a multinational conglomerate that was one of Asia’s largest transnational crime organisations.
Figures from the Singapore Prison Service (SPS) showed that in 2024, close to half of the inmate population were aged 39 and younger. The largest age group was between 30 and 39.
More young people have also been locked up in Changi Prison for their involvement in secret society activities, under a law that allows detention without trial.
According to SPS’ records, 65 individuals aged 29 or younger were in detention under the Criminal Law (Temporary Provisions) Act (CLTPA) as at Dec 31, 2024.
This age group accounted for more than half the total CLTPA detainee population.
While a 2024 report by the Ministry of Social and Family Development showed that Singapore’s youth offending rate has remained low, at an average of 5.2 per 1,000 young people from 2019 to 2023, there were spikes in several areas, including offences under the Corrosive and Explosive Substances and Offensive Weapons Act (from 92 to 133 offenders).
Offences under this Act involved mainly young people who were seen with offensive weapons such as knives.
Mr Siraj Shaik Aziz, director and head of criminal defence at law firm Silvester Legal LLC, said he has handled more young offenders implicated in serious crimes, including money laundering, since 2018.
He said some of these offenders may not be fully aware that transferring funds as money mules constitutes an offence under anti-money laundering legislation.
“Some of them think that because of their age, they will only be slapped on the wrist if caught. They have been enticed by quick cash offers on social media platforms and are not looking to get rich.
“Instead, they often use the money they earn to pay fees or help their parents,” said Mr Siraj.
He added that these young offenders think the crimes they are involved in are victimless.
“They need to be educated on the implications of their activities, and the consequences of their actions,” he said, adding that offenders who commit serious crimes to get rich are the outliers.
The first person to be convicted under the Organised Crime Act, which was passed in 2015 and took effect in June 2016, was Singaporean Or Poh Soon.
Or, then 55, was sentenced in 2018 to two years’ jail and a fine of $50,000 for his role in an illegal remote gambling syndicate which ran more than five 4-D and Toto websites.
The 49-member scam syndicate busted in Cambodia warrants a closer look at not only the penalties for serious crimes, but what more can be done to educate young Singaporeans about the grave consequences when they get entangled in criminal activities.
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