SINGAPORE, Nov 18 — Bernard Goh Yie Shen, 24, a Malaysian national, was charged today for allegedly managing a Cambodia-based scam call centre that defrauded victims in Singapore.
According to Channel News Asia (CNA), Goh faces one count under the Organised Crime Act for conduct that facilitated cheating offences. Court documents indicate he ran operations at a Phnom Penh call centre connected to a Singaporean syndicate.
Police stated that Goh was deported from Cambodia and is suspected to be part of a group behind government official impersonation scams. The syndicate allegedly carried out at least 438 cases, causing losses exceeding S$41 million (RM131.5 million).
The scam operation, based in a Phnom Penh compound, was disrupted in September during a joint operation by the Singapore Police Force (SPF) and Cambodian National Police. Goh was arrested in Malaysia after his deportation and handed over to SPF.
CNA noted that his charge follows the recent court proceedings of two Singaporeans accused of acting as scam callers in Cambodia.
Goh has been remanded and, if convicted, could face up to five years in prison, a fine of up to S$100,000, or both. Authorities stated that 31 suspects, including Singaporeans and Malaysians, are still at large, with alleged ringleader Ng Wei Liang among them.