Latest news with #anti-scam
Malay Mail
5 days ago
- Business
- Malay Mail
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.
CNA
6 days ago
- Business
- CNA
More than 1,800 people arrested in transnational anti-scam operation involving SPF; 106 nabbed in Singapore
SINGAPORE: Over 1,800 people were arrested during a month-long anti-scam operation by law enforcement authorities from seven Asian jurisdictions. Victims of the scam cases reportedly lost over S$289 million (US$225 million), the Singapore Police Force (SPF) said in a news release on Wednesday (Jun 4). Law enforcement agencies from Singapore, Hong Kong, South Korea, Malaysia, Maldives, Thailand and Macau conducted the operation between Apr 28 and May 28. An additional 33,900 people are being investigated for their suspected involvement in scam activities. Those arrested or investigated, aged between 14 and 81, are believed to be involved in more than 9,200 scam cases. The cases comprised mainly government official scams, investment scams, rental scams and internet love scams among others. More than 32,600 bank accounts suspected of being linked to scams were detected and frozen by the authorities. Over S$26.2 million was seized from the bank accounts. SINGAPORE INVESTIGATIONS In Singapore, 106 people were arrested and 545 individuals were investigated. The police said these suspects were involved in more than 1,300 local scam cases which resulted in losses of about S$39.3 million. More than S$7.69 million was also seized from 714 frozen bank accounts. Further investigations against all these suspects are still ongoing, said the police, adding that they are looking into offences such as abetment to cheating and unlawful disclosure of password or access code in relation to the national digital identity service. The police also noted two separate cases of Chinese services impersonation scams in end-April where victims were instructed to transfer S$25,000 and $45,000 respectively to local bank accounts provided by the scammer. Singapore's Anti-Scam Centre found that part of their funds were sent to bank accounts in Malaysia on the same day, SPF added. More than S$19,000 in total was recovered from the bank accounts in Malaysia with assistance from Malaysia's National Scam Response Centre. SPF's Commercial Affairs Department Director David Chew noted the need for a transnational response to transnational threats in today's world. 'In today's digital age, scam syndicates operate without geographical constraints, employing increasingly sophisticated methods across multiple jurisdictions to defraud victims and launder their illicit proceeds,' he said. 'No single jurisdiction has an adequate answer to this scourge, but we are collectively stronger together.' He also lauded the effectiveness of Operation Frontier+, the cross-border anti-scam collaboration platform that enables law enforcement agencies to work together. Operation Frontier+ comprises representatives from ten jurisdictions - Singapore, Hong Kong, Malaysia, Thailand, Maldives, South Korea, Australia, Macau, Canada and Indonesia. 'Operation FRONTIER+ epitomises the effectiveness of international cooperation in fighting scams. This joint effort demonstrates our shared commitment to disrupting transnational scam syndicates,' Mr Chew said. 'We will continue strengthening these international partnerships to ensure our citizens are safe from scams and scammers have no safe haven.'
