HOW THE SCAM WORKED
Since December 2024, the SPF has received reports of government official impersonation scams, in which victims in Singapore were deceived into losing large sums of money through a three-step process.
Firstly, victims would receive calls from scammers posing as bank employees.
Next, the scam callers would direct victims to another scammer who would impersonate a government official - either a police officer or a Monetary Authority of Singapore official.
Lastly, the scammer impersonator would convince the victims that their bank accounts were involved in an ongoing criminal investigation. Victims would then be instructed to transfer their funds for investigation purposes into accounts controlled by the syndicate.
The 12 suspects will be charged in court on Thursday for being members of a locally linked organised criminal group. If convicted, they face up to five years in jail, a fine up to S$100,000, or both.
The Singapore police said many other syndicate members remain at large and that operations by the Cambodian police are ongoing.
"The SPF is working closely with foreign law enforcement agencies to establish their whereabouts and to arrest them," the police added.
Continue reading...