$7.5m in losses: 254 scammers and money mules under police probe

Two hundred and fifty-four individuals believed to be scammers and money mules are being investigated following a island-wide enforcement operation, the police said on Thursday (Sept 10).

They consist of 151 men and 103 women, aged between 15 and 79, and are assisting with investigations following the operation that took place between Aug 27 and Sept 9.

Over 652 cases, including e-commerce and government official impersonation scams, are linked to them.

In total, victims have reportedly lost around $7.5 million, the police said.

These individuals are being investigated for the offences of cheating, money laundering or providing payment services without a licence.

If found guilty of cheating, they may face jail for up to 10 years and a fine.

For money laundering, those found guilty may be jailed for up to 10 years and fined up to $500,000.

The offence of carrying on a business to provide any type of payment service in Singapore without a licence carries a fine of up to $125,000 and jail for up to three years.

The police also stressed that scammers and members or recruiters of scam syndicates will face mandatory caning of at least six strokes, up to 24 strokes.

Scam mules who aid with money laundering providing SIM cards or Singpass credentials will face discretionary caning of up to 12 strokes.

khooyihang@asiaone.com

警方周四（9月10日）表示，经过全岛范围的执法行动，正在对254名被认为是诈骗犯和洗钱者的个人进行调查。

他们由 151 名男性和 103 名女性组成，年龄在 15 岁至 79 岁之间，正在协助调查 8 月 27 日至 9 月 9 日期间发生的行动。

超过 652 起案件与他们有关，其中包括电子商务诈骗和冒充政府官员诈骗。

警方称，受害者总共损失约750万美元。

这些人因涉嫌欺诈、洗钱或无证提供支付服务等罪行正在接受调查。

如果作弊罪名成立，他们可能面临最高 10 年的监禁和罚款。

对于洗钱罪，被判有罪者最高可判处 10 年监禁和 50 万美元罚款。

在新加坡，未经许可经营任何类型的支付服务业务属于违法行为，最高可处以 125,000 新元的罚款和三年监禁。

警方还强调，诈骗犯、诈骗团伙成员或招募者将面临至少六下、至多二十四下鞭刑。

协助洗钱的诈骗犯，例如提供 SIM 卡或 Singpass 凭证的人，将面临最高 12 下鞭刑。

khooyihang@asiaone.com