Police are investigating 259 people over their alleged involvement in more than 648 scam cases in which victims reportedly lost around S$5.2 million.
The 181 men and 78 women, aged between 16 and 82, are assisting with investigations following a two-week islandwide enforcement operation from 10 to 23 September 2026.
Suspects Allegedly Involved as Scammers or Money Mules
The operation was carried out by officers from the Singapore Police Force’s Cyber Command and all seven Police Land Divisions.
Preliminary investigations found that the 259 people were allegedly involved either as scammers or money mules.
The more than 648 cases covered several common scam types, including e-commerce, phishing, job, investment and lucky draw scams, as well as scams involving people impersonating government officials.
The police are investigating the individuals for possible offences including cheating, money laundering and providing payment services without a licence.
At this stage, they are under investigation and have not been reported as having been convicted over the cases covered by the operation.
Scam-Related Offences Can Carry Jail, Fines and Caning
Under the laws cited by the police, cheating can carry up to 10 years’ jail and a fine.
Money laundering can carry up to 10 years’ imprisonment, a fine of up to S$500,000, or both. Operating a payment service business in Singapore without the required licence can result in up to three years’ jail, a fine of up to S$125,000, or both.
The police also highlighted tougher caning provisions for scam-related offences. Scammers, as well as members or recruiters of scam syndicates, face mandatory caning of between six and 24 strokes upon conviction for applicable offences.
Money mules who facilitate scams in specified ways, such as laundering proceeds or supplying SIM cards or Singpass credentials, can face discretionary caning of up to 12 strokes.
People involved in mule-related offences may also have their access to banking services and mobile subscriptions restricted under Singapore’s Facility Restriction Framework. The framework can apply in certain cases even before a conviction, including to people under investigation who are assessed to pose a risk of facilitating scams.
Anyone unsure whether something is a scam can contact the ScamShield Helpline at 1799 or visit the ScamShield website.
