SINGAPORE: The police are investigating 550 people – including teenagers as young as 16 – for their suspected roles in more than 1,800 scam and unlicensed moneylending cases.
The Bedok Police Division arrested 46 people during a 10-day operation between June 29 and July 8, the police said in a statement on Friday (July 10).
A total of 341 men and 209 women, aged between 16 and 83, are being investigated.
Of these, 418 people are believed to be involved in scam-related activities – including e-commerce, investment, job, rental, phishing and loan-related scams – as money mules. Victims reportedly lost more than $14.8 million.
They are being investigated for cheating, assisting another to retain proceeds from criminal conduct, and the unauthorised disclosure of Singpass access code, according to the police.
The remaining 132 people are being investigated for their suspected roles in unlicensed moneylending activities involving transactions amounting to more than $2.3 million.
The police advised the public to reject money-making opportunities that promise fast and easy payouts, including those that require them to allow others to use their Singpass or bank accounts to receive or transfer money.
The public is also advised to stay away from scammers and unlicensed moneylenders and avoid working with or assisting them in any way.
E-commerce scams were the most common type of scam in 2025, with 6,703 cases reported and losses of $16.7 million.
For more information on scams, visit www.scamshield.gov.sg or call the ScamShield helpline on 1799.
Anyone with information on such scams can call the police hotline on 1800-255-0000 or submit information online at www.police.gov.sg/i-witness
All information will be kept confidential, the police said. - The Straits Times/ANN
