Malaysian Man Charged Under Organised Crime Act for Cambodia-Based Scam Ring Links

A Malaysian man, Bernard Goh Yie Shen, 24, has been arrested and will be charged in Singapore for his suspected involvement in a Cambodia-based organised criminal group responsible for a massive government official impersonation scam. Goh was among the 32 remaining suspects who had been on the run.

The Singapore Police Force (SPF) announced on November 17 that Goh was initially apprehended by foreign police in Cambodia and subsequently deported to Malaysia, where Malaysian authorities formally arrested him. He was then handed over to Singapore authorities on the same day.

The Organised Criminal Group and Its Scope

Goh is believed to be a member of an organised group primarily based in the Cambodian capital, Phnom Penh. The syndicate operated from a scam compound and focused on running government official impersonation scams that targeted victims in Singapore.

The criminal group is believed to be responsible for at least 438 reported impersonation scam cases, resulting in significant financial losses totaling a minimum of $41 million.

Arrests and Remaining Fugitives

Goh's arrest follows a sustained effort to dismantle the syndicate, whose activities were first disrupted during a joint operation by the SPF and Cambodian National Police on September 9, 2025.

Initially, 34 suspects were on the run. The crackdown saw the first arrests earlier in November: two Singaporeans were deported from Cambodia and Thailand and subsequently charged on November 17. With Goh's arrest, the total number of individuals arrested has risen to three.

The syndicate was allegedly run by Singaporean fugitive Ng Wei Liang, who remains on the run, although his older brother, cousin, and girlfriend have already been charged under the Organised Crime Act in September.

Following Goh's arrest, the SPF reports that 25 other Singaporeans and six Malaysians are still at large. The latest arrest is credited to continuous collaboration and intelligence sharing between the Singapore, Cambodian, and Malaysian police forces. Malaysian police had previously indicated they were actively working to trace and arrest the Malaysian suspects.

Charges and Penalties

Bernard Goh Yie Shen is slated to be charged on November 18 with two charges under the Organised Crime Act:

Facilitating the commission of a serious offence (cheating).
Aiding the illegal purpose of a locally linked criminal group.

If convicted under the Organised Crime Act, Goh faces a prison term of up to five years, a fine of up to $100,000, or both.

The SPF also confirmed that as part of ongoing investigations, they have issued prohibition of disposal orders and seized assets linked to the group.

Comments

Safety Concerns Lead to Putting Down of Large Crocodile in East Coast Park

A large saltwater crocodile, approximately 3 meters long, was recently spotted near East Coast Park in Singapore, leading to its capture and the decision to put it down due to public safety concerns. The National Parks Board (NParks) cited the risk to public safety and of the crocodile returning to the location where it was captured as a key factor in their decision. In the past, a smaller juvenile crocodile was relocated to the Sungei Buloh Wetland Reserve, but the reserve is no longer a suitable release site due to the increased crocodile population there. NParks advised the public to avoid approaching, provoking, or feeding crocodiles, and to heed warning signs and advisory notices in areas where crocodiles have been sighted. What are your thoughts?

Chinese National Hits Boy with Bottle, Pulls Knife from Bag Near Haji Lane

On June 20, 2025, at around 1:30pm, a shocking act of violence occurred outside a café located at 56 Arab Street, near Haji Lane, Singapore. A 26-year-old man was accused of attacking a four-year-old boy with a glass bottle, injuring the child’s forehead. The boy, a tourist from Indonesia, was sitting with his parents outside the café when the unprovoked attack took place. The man, later identified as Xu Chaoyu, a Chinese national, reportedly struck the boy with a bottle without warning. Witnesses described the situation as chaotic. Videos uploaded by bystanders showed the man laughing to himself while sitting cross-legged outside the café. Several members of the public intervened to restrain him and prevent further harm. As the situation escalated, Xu was seen reaching into his black bag. A vigilant bystander quickly noticed this and intervened, restraining him and confiscating the bag. A knife was later discovered in his possession. Witness accounts confirmed that during the in...

Massive Evacuation in Tampines as SCDF Battles Smoke-Filled Apartment Fire

On the evening of January 9, 2026, a significant residential fire broke out in a Housing Board flat in Tampines, leading to a large-scale emergency response and the hospitalisation of a firefighter. The Singapore Civil Defence Force was alerted to the incident at Block 29 Tampines Street 86 at approximately 9:05pm. The fire originated within a unit located on the 15th floor of the block, creating a hazardous situation for residents and responders alike. Upon the arrival of the emergency teams, the fire was found to be concentrated in one of the bedrooms of the high-rise unit. At the time the blaze broke out, no one was inside the apartment, which meant that there were no civilian injuries reported within the affected home. However, because the unit was locked and heavily smoke-filled, the responding firefighters had to perform a forcible entry to gain access to the seat of the fire. Clad in full protective gear and breathing apparatus, the team entered the hazardous environment t...

LAKOPINEWS.COM

Search This Blog