- Oon Yun Cong jailed for 16 months and fined S$12,105.70 for share trading fraud.
- Fraudulent activities occurred in Telegram chat groups between April and November 2020.
- Case highlights risks of trading based on unverified online information.
A Singaporean man’s fraudulent share trading scheme on Telegram has landed him in jail, serving as a warning to online investors.
- Telegram Chat Groups Used for Share Trading Fraud
- Penalties for Share Trading Fraud
- MAS Warns About Online Trading Risks
- Legal Consequences of Share Trading Fraud
- How to Protect Yourself from Online Trading Scams
- Joint Investigation by MAS and Police
- Impact on Singapore’s Financial Sector
- Lessons for Investors
Telegram Chat Groups Used for Share Trading Fraud
On 10 October 2024, the Monetary Authority of Singapore (MAS) announced that Oon Yun Cong was sentenced to jail for share trading fraud.
Oon used two Telegram chat groups to trick people into buying shares.
The groups were called “SGX Penny Stocks Discussion” and “SGX-Trade with the Wind (TW2)“.
He made false statements about shares he claimed to own.
Oon exaggerated sell prices and lied about owning certain shares.
Penalties for Share Trading Fraud
The court found Oon guilty of breaking the Securities and Futures Act (SFA).
He will spend 16 months in jail.
Oon must also pay a fine of S$12,105.70.
His fraud happened from 30 April to 23 November 2020.
Oon worked with an associate named Goh Jia Poh, Kenneth.
| Person | Sentence | Fine |
|---|---|---|
| Oon Yun Cong | 16 months’ jail | S$12,105.70 |
| Goh Jia Poh, Kenneth | 19 months’ jail | S$355,604 |
MAS Warns About Online Trading Risks
Ms Loo Siew Yee, Assistant Managing Director at MAS, shared important advice.
She said, “MAS does not condone trading behaviour that distorts and interferes with the proper discovery of price and market demand for securities.”
This means MAS doesn’t allow tricks that change how people buy and sell shares.
Ms Loo also warned about online trading risks.
She stated, “The present case is also a reminder that investors should be alert to the risks of trading based on recommendations or claims in online discussion forums and social media chat groups.”
This case shows why people should be careful with online trading advice.
Legal Consequences of Share Trading Fraud
The SFA has clear rules about sharing false information.
Section 200(1)(a) of the SFA says no one should make false statements to get others to trade.
Breaking this law can lead to jail time and fines.
In 2023, several insurance advisors were banned for fraud, showing Singapore’s strict stance on financial crimes.
How to Protect Yourself from Online Trading Scams
- Be careful of stock tips from unknown people online.
- Check information from reliable sources before trading.
- Don’t trust claims of quick or easy profits.
- Report suspicious activities to the authorities.
Joint Investigation by MAS and Police
MAS worked with the Commercial Affairs Department of the Singapore Police Force on this case.
They started looking into it after the Singapore Exchange Securities Trading Limited reported it.
This shows how different agencies work together to stop financial crimes.
In a similar effort to combat crime, Singapore police plan to add 200,000 CCTV cameras by mid-2030s.
Impact on Singapore’s Financial Sector
Cases like Oon’s affect trust in Singapore’s financial markets.
They show why strong rules and quick action are needed.
MAS and other agencies work hard to keep Singapore’s markets fair and safe.
This helps maintain Singapore’s reputation as a trusted financial hub.
Lessons for Investors
This case teaches important lessons for people who trade shares.
Always check information before making trading decisions.
Be careful of advice from unknown sources, especially online.
Remember that if something sounds too good to be true, it probably is.
It’s crucial to stay informed about recent scams in Singapore to protect yourself.
Stay alert and verify information to protect yourself from online trading scams and fraud.
