- Nearly 500 suspects arrested in Singapore for scams involving about S$12M in losses.
- A 15-year-old teen suspect was among those caught in the police operation.
- Singapore scam cases hit a record high of 46,563 in 2023.
A massive police operation in Singapore nabbed hundreds of scam suspects, including a teenager, as the country battles rising fraud cases.
Massive Scam Bust in Singapore
From 13 September to 3 October 2024, Singapore police caught 482 people for scams.
The suspects were aged 15 to 76.
They were involved in more than 1,400 scam cases.
According to The Straits Times, victims lost over S$12.2 million in these scams.
Types of Singapore Scam Cases
The police found different types of scams:
- Internet love scams
- Investment scams
- Friend impersonation scams
- E-commerce scams
- Job scams
- Fake buyer scams
Scam Cases on the Rise
Scam cases in Singapore are increasing at an alarming rate.
In 2023, there were 46,563 scam cases reported.
This is the highest number since tracking began in 2016.
Scam victims in Singapore lost S$651.8 million in 2023 alone.
Since 2019, total losses have reached more than S$2.3 billion.
Recent Trends
The first half of 2024 saw a 16.3% increase in scam cases compared to the same period in 2023.
This trend is similar to the scam sweep in July 2024 where police questioned 665 people in a S$19 million fraud operation.
Penalties for Scam-Related Crimes
| Crime | Maximum Penalty |
|---|---|
| Cheating | 10 years in jail and fines |
| Money laundering | 10 years in jail, S$500,000 fine, or both |
| Unlicensed payment services | 3 years in jail, S$125,000 fine, or both |
Police Advice to the Public
The police are taking a serious stance against scams.
They urge the public to be careful and avoid getting involved in scams.
According to The Straits Times, the police said, “To avoid being an accomplice to crimes, members of the public should always reject requests by others to use their bank account or mobile lines.”
This advice is crucial to prevent cases like the retiree who lost S$1 million to a Facebook friend scam.
How to Report Scams
If you have information about scams, you can help fight this crime.
Call the police hotline at 1800-255-0000 to report scams.
You can also submit information online.
All information will be kept secret.
Protecting Yourself from Scams
Here are some tips to protect yourself from scams:
- Be careful of offers that seem too good to be true
- Don’t give your personal information to strangers
- Check the sender’s email or phone number carefully
- Don’t click on suspicious links
- Use strong security measures for your online accounts
Remember, scammers are always finding new ways to trick people.
Stay alert and protect yourself and your loved ones from scams.
If you suspect a scam, report it to the police right away. Your action could help stop criminals and save others from losing money.
