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Internet crimes and scams

Man accused of helping transnational investment scam syndicate targeting S’pore residents

Mohd Khairool Faizal Azlan was arrested on Feb 15 after he was caught trying to leave Singapore through Changi Airport.
Mohd Khairool Faizal Azlan was arrested on Feb 15 after he was caught trying to leave Singapore through Changi Airport.

3 accounts hacked every minute: Philippines confronts relentless tide of data breaches

Some 79.6 million passwords have been exposed alongside Filipino accounts over the years, experts say.
Some 79.6 million passwords have been exposed alongside Filipino accounts over the years, experts say.

231 people under investigation for involvement in scams, with losses of over $6 million

A total of 231 people, comprising 66 women and 165 men, are suspected of being scammers or money mules.
A total of 231 people, comprising 66 women and 165 men, are suspected of being scammers or money mules.

People in Japan scammed out of record $2.7 billion in 2025

The number of investment scams via social media nearly doubled to 9,538, with scammers stealing about 127.47 billion yen in total.
The number of investment scams via social media nearly doubled to 9,538, with scammers stealing about 127.47 billion yen in total.

More seniors in China growing addicted to the internet; loneliness, boredom cited as key reasons

Seniors learn to use smartphones under the guidance of workers at a care centre in Jinhua, Zhejiang province.
Seniors learn to use smartphones under the guidance of workers at a care centre in Jinhua, Zhejiang province.

Cambodia floats new law in crackdown on gangs running scam farms

Cambodia faces heavy pressure from foreign governments and rights groups to show it’s acting against scam compounds that have proliferated in the country.
Cambodia faces heavy pressure from foreign governments and rights groups to show it’s acting against scam compounds that have proliferated in the country.

Singapore travellers to Malaysia lose $24k to scam texts impersonating LTA

The ruse involves the victims receiving an SMS with the “LTA” sender ID asking users to settle unpaid tolls.
The ruse involves the victims receiving an SMS with the “LTA” sender ID asking users to settle unpaid tolls.

Beware of conmen asking you to vote for a ‘friend’s child’ in a dance competition on WhatsApp

In this scam tactic, scammers would send WhatsApp messages from known contacts asking victims to vote for a “friend’s child” in a dance competition.
In this scam tactic, scammers would send WhatsApp messages from known contacts asking victims to vote for a “friend’s child” in a dance competition.

AI helps scam centres evade crackdown in Asia, dupe more victims

AI allows scam operators to scale up at low cost, making them more willing to run the risk of being caught.
AI allows scam operators to scale up at low cost, making them more willing to run the risk of being caught.

Scammers’ abandoned Cambodia compound exposes brutality and banality of fraud

Thai soldiers walk near the O’Smach casino, a compound that was used for scam operations.
Thai soldiers walk near the O’Smach casino, a compound that was used for scam operations.

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MDDI (P) 046/10/2025. Published by SPH Media Limited, Co. Regn. No.202120748H. Copyright © 2026 SPH Media Limited. All rights reserved.