106 nabbed, $7.7m seized in Singapore in transnational anti-scam operation

SINGAPORE – More than 1,800 people were arrested by law enforcement agencies of seven territories as part of a month-long operation targeting transnational scams.

The operation, which was conducted between April 28 and May 28, saw Singapore’s Anti-Scam Command collaborate with anti-scam agencies of Hong Kong, South Korea, Malaysia, Maldives, Thailand and Macau, said the Singapore Police Force on June 4.

Of those nabbed, 106 were arrested in Singapore, said the police.

They were involved in more than 1,300 cases that resulted in losses of about $39.3 million. Additionally, more than $7.69 million was seized from 714 frozen bank accounts.

The police said that the suspects are being investigated for abetting cheating and unauthorised access to computer material, assisting in retaining benefits of drug dealing or criminal conduct, and the unlawful disclosure of passwords or access codes in relation to national digital identity services.

Across the entire operation, a total of 33,900 people, aged between 14 and 81, were investigated for their suspected involvement in scam activities.

They are believed to be involved in more than 9,200 scam cases where victims reportedly lost over $289 million, said the police.

These cases comprised mainly government official impersonation scams, investment scams, rental scams, internet love scams, friend impersonation scams, job scams and e-commerce scams.

Mr David Chew, director of Singapore’s Commercial Affairs Department, said: “In today’s digital age, scam syndicates operate without geographical constraints, employing increasingly sophisticated methods across multiple jurisdictions to defraud victims and launder their illicit proceeds.

“A transnational threat requires a transnational response. No single jurisdiction has an adequate answer to this scourge, but we are collectively stronger together.”

Mr Chew added that the joint effort across members of cross-border Anti-Scam collaboration platform Operation Frontier+ (Funds Recovery Operations and Networks Team, Inspiring Effective Resolution Plus) demonstrates a shared commitment to disrupting transnational scam syndicates.

Operation Frontier+, which was set up in October 2024,

now comprises representatives from anti-scam centres in 10 jurisdictions – namely Singapore, Hong Kong, Malaysia, Thailand, the Maldives, South Korea, Australia, Macau, Canada and Indonesia.

It focuses on enhancing international cooperation in tackling scams through seamless information sharing, coordinated responses and knowledge exchange.

Its core functions include real-time intelligence exchange and analysis, along with periodic joint operations across jurisdictions.

The platform aims to broaden its reach by welcoming new member countries and regions, ultimately enhancing the effectiveness of enforcement efforts against transnational crime.

“By combining our resources and enforcement capabilities, we are creating a united front against scam. We will continue strengthening these international partnerships to ensure our citizens are safe from scams and scammers have no safe haven,” said Mr Chew.