Malaysia arrests 5 people linked to job scam syndicate targeting Singaporeans
A photo of a person in handcuffs. (File photo: CNA/Jeremy Long)
SINGAPORE: The Singapore Police Force (SPF) and the Royal Malaysia Police (RMP) conducted a joint operation in Kuala Lumpur last week "to cripple a transnational scam syndicate", said SPF on Wednesday (Mar 27).
Between Oct 1, 2023, and Jan 31 this year, more than 3,000 victims have fallen prey to job scams, with total losses amounting to at least S$45.7 million (US$33.9 million), said SPF in a press release.
In light of this, the police "carried extensive investigative probes and shared information with the RMP in order to detect and dismantle job scam crime syndicates targeting Singaporeans".
"The efforts paid off when the Malaysian criminal syndicate that was operating in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, was located," said SPF.
It added that the syndicate is believed to be linked to at least 40 Singapore police reports, with the reports involving losses totalling more than S$820,000.
Officers from the Bukit Aman Commercial Crime Investigation Department (CCID) of the RMP conducted a raid at an apartment complex in Kuala Lumpur on Mar 20.
Three men and two women aged between 23 and 28, were arrested for their suspected involvement in laundering the proceeds of scams – including job scams – targeting Singaporeans.
"Preliminary investigations revealed that the syndicate started their scam operations early this year," said SPF, adding that the five Malaysians had been remanded by RMP for further investigation.
The director of SPF's Commercial Affairs Department (CAD) David Chew said job scams were the top scam type of the cases reported in 2023 and the number two scam regarding losses to victims, and the number of cases involving such scams has continued to rise in 2024.
"To counter this transnational scam threat, the SPF works closely with the RMP to detect and deter these transnational syndicates who target our citizens," he said, also thanking the CCID team for their support in tackling the syndicate.
"We will continue to take tough action to afford these criminals no safe haven. Working with our foreign counterparts, we will detect, disable and bring to justice criminal syndicates wherever they choose to operate."
Precautionary measures to take to avoid scams
- Add the ScamShield application to your device and enable security features such as two-factor (2FA) or multifactor authentication for bank and Singpass accounts. Set transaction limits as well.
- Look out for the scam signs highlighted by the National Crime Prevention Council's ScamAlert website.
- Tell the authorities, your family and your friends about scams and beware of unusual requests from anyone purporting to be someone you know via texts or calls. Verify such requests through alternative means such as physical meet-ups, video calls or email.
DEFENDING AGAINST JOB SCAMS
The best defence against the persistent threat of job scams is a vigilant public, SPF said, reminding members of the public to be wary of proposals on dating apps or social media platforms offering them easy commissions to perform tasks such as boosting products on e-commerce platforms, completing surveys or generating traction on social media.
"You should never pay money into unknown bank accounts to earn a commission for your work," the police said, adding that one should never relinquish their Singpass credentials as part of a job application.
