SINGAPORE - A three-day sting operation earlier this week led to the arrests of 72 people believed to have been involved in online scams.

The police said on Friday that the operation - conducted from April 19 to 21- led to the arrests of 40 men and 32 women, involved in what is believed to be 183 cases of online scams.

The suspects are aged between 15 and 64, and made off with $242,000.

Most of the suspects allegedly acted as "money mules", who received and transferred illegal funds on behalf of criminal syndicates, said the police.

The others are believed to have posed as online sellers, who did not deliver the products to their buyers after receiving payment. These products included entrance tickets to local attractions, mobile phones and hotel room bookings.

The suspects are being investigated for cheating and money laundering offences. If convicted of cheating, they can be jailed up to 10 years and fined.

For money laundering offences, they can also be jailed up to 10 years and fined up to $500,000.