Officers from the Commercial Affairs Department and the seven Police Land Divisions conducted a two-week operation between 12 May 2023 and 26 May 2023. A total of 261 men and 115 women, aged between 16 and 80, are assisting in investigations for their suspected involvement in scams as scammers or money mules. The suspects are believed to be involved in more than 1,400 cases of scams, comprising mainly fake friend call scams, phishing scams, loan scams, job scams, investment scams, internet love scams and Government Officials impersonation scams where victims reportedly lost over $7 million.
On 26 May 2023, three persons were convicted and sentenced to fines ranging from $100,000 to $150,000 for insider trading offences under the Securities and Futures Act (“SFA”).
On 22 May 2023, Bedok Police Division presented the Public Spiritedness Award to three members of the public for assisting the Police in three separate cases. Six recipients were also presented the Community Partnership Awards for their strong partnership with the Police in preventing the commission of scams.
The Police and Shopee Singapore would like to alert the public to a job scam variant, where scammers are impersonating as Shopee employees, or employees of known companies to recruit victims. Since March 2023, at least 46 victims have fallen prey, with losses amounting to at least $753,000.