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Two Singaporean Money Mules Deported and Arrested on Arrival

 




A significant development in the fight against transnational crime occurred when two Singaporean men, both aged 44, were arrested on November 11 following their deportation from Thailand and Cambodia, respectively. The men are suspected of involvement in transnational scam operations and money mule offenses targeting Singaporeans.

The arrests were carried out by officers from the Anti-Scam Command of the Singapore Police Force (SPF) immediately upon the men’s arrival in Singapore. The SPF announced the arrests in a statement on November 13, highlighting successful international collaboration.

The First Suspect: Myanmar Scam Centre Administrator

The first man was arrested by the Royal Thai Police (RTP) during a raid conducted in Bangkok. He is allegedly linked to a transnational scam syndicate that was operating a scam centre located in Myanmar. This syndicate purportedly planned government official impersonation scams specifically targeting Singaporeans.

Preliminary investigations revealed that the man had travelled to Myanmar and was involved in administrative functions at the scam centre. He reportedly fled to Thailand after the scam centre was raided by Myanmar authorities. The Immigration Bureau of the RTP assisted the SPF in facilitating his deportation back to Singapore.

Furthermore, this individual allegedly relinquished his personal bank account in Singapore, thereby enabling criminal syndicates to use it to move suspicious funds.

He is expected to be charged in court on November 13 with abetment to commit unauthorised access to computer material. A first conviction for this offense carries a potential penalty of up to two years' jail, a fine, or both.

The Second Suspect: Cambodia Scam Syndicate Translator

The second man was arrested by the Cambodia National Police for his alleged participation in a separate transnational scam syndicate that was perpetrating telecommunication fraud from Krong Bavet, Cambodia.

Preliminary investigations indicated that this man allegedly served as a translator for the syndicate. The General Department of Immigration of Cambodia assisted the SPF in facilitating his deportation to Singapore, where he was arrested upon arrival. Like the first suspect, his bank accounts in Singapore were also found to have been used to receive illicit funds originating from scam activities.

This man is expected to be charged on November 13 with abetment by conspiracy to cheat and possessing property reasonably suspected to be benefits from criminal conduct. Cheating carries a penalty of up to three years' jail, a fine, or both. Possessing property suspected to be criminal proceeds can result in up to three years' jail, a fine of up to $150,000, or both.

The Scale of the Problem

The SPF underscored the gravity of these scams by releasing updated statistics on government official impersonation scams:

  • Case Volume: The number of cases almost tripled, increasing by 199.2 per cent to 1,762 cases in the first half of 2025, compared to 589 cases in the same period in 2024.

  • Total Loss: The amount lost to this specific scam type also surged by 88.3 per cent, totaling about $126.5 million in the first half of 2025, up from about $67.2 million in the first half of 2024.

Commercial Affairs Department Director David Chew acknowledged that these cases illustrate the evolving tactics of transnational syndicates that are exploiting the local knowledge of Singaporeans to target victims from scam centres in various jurisdictions. He praised the strong partnerships with regional counterparts, including the RTP and Cambodia National Police, emphasizing the SPF’s commitment to bringing such criminals home to face justice. The police strongly urged the public to reject all requests to use their bank accounts or mobile lines, warning that those who allow their accounts to be used for criminal activities may be investigated as accomplices or money mules.

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Location: Singapore

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