Latest news with #Anti-ScamCommand
The Star
12-06-2025
- The Star
Probe into 49 for suspected money laundering involving crypto accounts, over US$156,000 seized
SINGAPORE: The police are investigating 49 people for suspected money laundering activities involving the use of cryptocurrency accounts. The suspects – 35 men and 14 women – are aged between 18 and 58, the police said on June 12. They were nabbed during an islandwide operation carried out between May 13 and 30 by officers from the police's Anti-Scam Command, who worked alongside digital payments firm StraitsX. More than $200,000 (US$156,006) was seized as a result. Early investigations showed that the suspects allegedly opened and gave up their cryptocurrency accounts or Singpass credentials in exchange for cash, which ranged from $400 to $3,000. Making use of messaging platforms such as Telegram or WhatsApp, unknown parties had made contact with the suspects, guiding them through the process. Part of the instructions they received included providing screenshots, personal details, as well as access to their cryptocurrency or Singpass accounts, which were then used to facilitate the laundering of scam proceeds. The police said the collaboration with StraitsX had 'enhanced capabilities to detect suspicious financial activities', which led to the suspects being identified. They also stressed that they take a strong stance against people who may be involved in money laundering activities, and will not hesitate to take action. In order to avoid being implicated in such crimes, the police advised people to always reject requests by others to make use of their bank or cryptocurrency accounts. Caution should also be exercised if 'seemingly attractive money-making opportunities promising fast and easy pay-outs for the use of their bank or cryptocurrency accounts' are presented. 'Anyone who allows their personal bank accounts or cryptocurrency accounts to be used to receive and transfer money or cryptocurrency for others will be held accountable if these transactions are linked to crimes,' said the police. Those convicted of assisting another person to retain the benefits from criminal conduct can be fined up to $50,000, jailed for up to three years, or both. - The Straits Times/ANN
Straits Times
12-06-2025
- Straits Times
49 under probe for suspected money laundering involving crypto accounts, over $200k seized
The suspects allegedly opened and gave up their cryptocurrency accounts or Singpass credentials in exchange for cash. PHOTO: REUTERS SINGAPORE – The police are investigating 49 people for suspected money laundering activities involving the use of cryptocurrency accounts. The suspects – 35 men and 14 women – are aged between 18 and 58 , the police said on June 12 . They were nabbed during an islandwide operation carried out between May 13 and 30 by officers from the police's Anti-Scam Command , who worked alongside digital payments firm StraitsX . More than $200,000 was seized as a result. Early investigations showed that the suspects allegedly opened and gave up their cryptocurrency accounts or Singpass credentials in exchange for cash, which ranged from $400 to $3,000. Making use of messaging platforms such as Telegram or WhatsApp , unknown parties had made contact with the suspects, guiding them through the process. Part of the instructions they received included providing screenshots, personal details, as well as access to their cryptocurrency or Singpass accounts, which were then used to facilitate the laundering of scam proceeds. The police said the collaboration with StraitsX had 'enhanced capabilities to detect suspicious financial activities', which led to the suspects being identified. They also stressed that they take a strong stance against people who may be involved in money laundering activities, and will not hesitate to take action. In order to avoid being implicated in such crimes, the police advised people to always reject requests by others to make use of their bank or cryptocurrency accounts. Caution should also be exercised if 'seemingly attractive money-making opportunities promising fast and easy pay-outs for the use of their bank or cryptocurrency accounts' are presented. 'Anyone who allows their personal bank accounts or cryptocurrency accounts to be used to receive and transfer money or cryptocurrency for others will be held accountable if these transactions are linked to crimes,' said the police. Those convicted of assisting another person to retain the benefits from criminal conduct can be fined up to $50,000, jailed for up to three years, or both . Join ST's WhatsApp Channel and get the latest news and must-reads.
AsiaOne
06-06-2025
- AsiaOne
Government official impersonation scam: Syndicate received gold bars worth 500k, cash from victims, Singapore News
Three men, aged 24, 28 and 30, will be taken to court on Friday (June 6) for their suspected involvement in a Government official impersonation scam. The police said in a news release on June 5 that a 68-year-old man who fell for the scam had lodged a report on June 3. Scammers had posed as staff from the Monetary Authority of Singapore and convinced the elderly victim that he had been implicated in an offence and needed to surrender 27 pieces of 100g gold bars for investigations. Officers from the police's Anti-Scam Command subsequently arrested the two men, aged 24 and 28, as well as a 29-year-old woman on June 4. The 28-year-old man is believed to have collected the gold bars from the victim on behalf of the scam syndicate with assistance from the other two. Following the arrests of the trio, police officers nabbed two more men, aged 29 and 30, at Woodlands Checkpoint before they attempted to leave Singapore. The 30-year-old man is believed to have worked with the earlier arrested persons in facilitating the scam syndicate to retain benefits from criminal conduct, said the police. Further investigations found that the three men, aged 24, 28 and 30, are also believed to have received gold bars valued at approximately $500,000 from a 61-year-old victim and at least $21,000 of cash from a 36-year-old victim in separate scam cases. The police seized $22,000 in cash and at least six mobile phones as case exhibits. The three men will be charged in court with the offence of abetment by conspiracy to assist another to retain benefits from criminal conduct, according to the police. If convicted, they may face a jail term of up to 10 years, a fine of up to $500,000, or both. Investigations against the 29-year-old woman and the 29-year-old man are also ongoing. The police said members of the public should always reject requests by others to use their bank accounts or Singpass accounts, to avoid being implicated in criminal activity They warned that any person who allows their personal bank accounts to be used to receive and transfer money for others will be held accountable if the transactions are linked to crimes. [[nid:718598]]
Yahoo
05-06-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Global anti-scam blitz: 106 nabbed, S$7.7m seized in Singapore; Malaysia among seven countries in joint operation
SINGAPORE, June 5 — A month-long transnational anti-scam operation involving seven territories led to the arrest of over 1,800 people, including 106 in Singapore, and the seizure of more than S$7.69 million (RM25 million) locally, police said. Conducted from April 28 to May 28, the operation involved collaboration between Singapore's Anti-Scam Command and agencies in Hong Kong, South Korea, Malaysia, Maldives, Thailand, and Macau, according to a report in The Straits Times today. Those arrested in Singapore were linked to over 1,300 scam cases, which resulted in losses of about S$39.3 million, the Singapore Police Force said. In total, more than 33,900 people aged between 14 and 81 were investigated across all participating territories for involvement in over 9,200 scam cases, with victims reporting losses exceeding S$289 million. In total, more than 33,900 people aged between 14 and 81 were investigated across all participating territories for involvement in over 9,200 scam cases, with victims reporting losses exceeding S$289 million. — Singapore Police Force pic The scam types targeted included government official impersonation, investment scams, rental scams, internet love scams, friend impersonation scams, job scams, and e-commerce scams. Singaporean suspects are being investigated for offences such as abetting cheating, unauthorised computer access, assisting in criminal conduct, and unlawful disclosure of passwords or access codes tied to national digital identity services. Director of the Commercial Affairs Department David Chew said the joint operation underscores the need for a unified global response to tackle increasingly sophisticated scam syndicates. He highlighted the role of Operation Frontier+, a cross-border anti-scam platform launched in October 2024 that now includes 10 jurisdictions, in enhancing intelligence-sharing and coordinated enforcement. Chew added that the initiative is working to expand its network to improve global enforcement efforts and ensure scammers have no safe haven.
Yahoo
29-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
YAHOO POLL: Have you ever fallen for a scam?
Singaporeans lost a record $1.1 billion to scams last year. The amount marks an increase of 70.6% from $651.8 million in 2023, according to a report by the Singapore Police Force (SPF). Other polls: YAHOO POLL: Do you support harsher punishments for animal abusers? YAHOO POLL: When in the day is best to take a shower? YAHOO POLL: Have you used an automated bot before? Worryingly, it seems many of us are still falling prey to scammers in 2025 despite the best efforts from law enforcement, government agencies and banks to keep us educated on the types of scams commonly used. This week it was reported that about $1.9 million in suspected scam proceeds was seized by the police's Anti-Scam Command (ASC). The near month-long operation targeted government official impersonation, investment and job scams. Police also revealed, on 26 May, that victims have lost at least $653,000 to fake friends scams in Singapore since April. And in January, veteran actor Laurence Pang revealed that he lost $35,000 after falling victim to a love scam. So we want to know, have you ever fallen for a scam? Related Singaporeans lost a record $1.1 billion to scams in 2024 $1.9m seized in police operation targeting scam activities; 9 arrested 22 nabbed for suspected involvement in government official impersonation scams More than $650,000 lost in Singapore to fake friend scams since April 'Stupid, you know': Singapore actor falls prey to Philippines love scam, losing S$35,000
