Police probe 210 people for involvement in scams with over $4.2 million in losses
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From Dec 30, 2025, scammers and members or recruiters of scam syndicates face mandatory caning of at least 6 strokes.
ST PHOTO: LIM YAOHUI
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SINGAPORE – A total of 210 people are being investigated for their suspected involvement in scams following a police operation from Dec 31 to Jan 15.
In a statement on Jan 16, the police said the two-week operation involved officers from the Commercial Affairs Department and the seven police land divisions.
The suspects are believed to be involved in more than 745 cases of scams, including e-commerce, job and investment scams, where victims reportedly lost over $4.22 million, said the police.
The 210 people – 67 women and 143 men, aged between 15 and 83 – are being investigated for the alleged offences of cheating, money laundering or providing payment services without a licence.
With effect from Dec 30, 2025
Scam mules who enable scammers by laundering scam proceeds, providing SIM cards or providing Singpass credentials face discretionary caning of up to 12 strokes.
Under the Facility Restriction Framework, individuals involved in mule-related offences – whether they are under investigation and assessed to be at risk, or have been warned, issued with composition sums, prosecuted or convicted – may also face restrictions on banking services and mobile line subscriptions to prevent their further facilitation of scams.
For more information on scams, members of the public can visit www.scamshield.gov.sg
Anyone with information on scams may call the police hotline on 1800-255-0000 or submit it online at www.police.gov.sg/i-witness
