Singaporean police investigate suspected scammers, money mules linked to $2.94M in losses

By VNA October 25, 2025 | 03:44 am PT

A total of 249 suspected scammers and money mules are being investigated for ruses resulting in more than 3.82 million SGD (US$2.94 million) in losses, following a two-week operation by the Singaporean police and the Commercial Affairs Department, The Straits Times reported.

In a statement released on Oct. 24, the police said the group comprises 159 men and 90 women aged between 16 and 81, and is allegedly involved in more than 800 scams. These mainly included e-commerce scams, friend impersonation scams, job scams, government official impersonation scams, investment scams and rental scams.

The suspects are being investigated for cheating, money laundering or providing illegal payment services, following the Oct. 10-23 operation.

Those convicted of money laundering under the Corruption, Drug Trafficking and Other Serious Crimes (Confiscation of Benefits) Act face a jail term of up to 10 years, a fine of up to 500,000 SGD, or both. Those found guilty of carrying on a business to provide any type of payment service in Singapore without a licence under Section 5 of the Payment Services Act can be fined up to 125,000 SGD, imprisoned for up to three years, or both.

As much as 456.4 million SGD was lost to scams in the first half of 2025, with almost 20,000 cases reported.