SINGAPORE – A 37-year-old Malaysian man suspected of involvement in government official impersonation scams is expected to be charged on Nov. 15. He is set to face a charge of abetment by conspiracy to assist another person in retaining benefits from criminal conduct.
According to a police statement on Nov. 14, there has been a growing trend of Malaysian nationals travelling to Singapore to help scam syndicates collect cash, gold and valuables from victims.
The latest case began on Sept. 28, when police received a report from a victim who had been targeted by scammers impersonating officials from the Monetary Authority of Singapore (MAS). She was first told that her bank account had been misused for money laundering activities. She was then contacted by others posing as MAS officers who instructed her to surrender her money and valuables for “investigations.”
Following the instructions, the victim handed over more than $4,400 in cash and around $2,000 worth of valuables to an unknown individual.
Police later identified the collector as the 37-year-old Malaysian suspect, who had left Singapore shortly after receiving the items. He was arrested when he re-entered the country on Nov. 14. Preliminary investigations indicate he handed the cash and valuables to another unknown individual in Malaysia and is believed to be involved in other similar cases, acting as a facilitator for the scam syndicate.
In a separate case, another Malaysian, 35-year-old Lim Zi Wei, was charged on Nov. 14 for suspected involvement in similar government official impersonation scams.
Police urged the public to remain vigilant and warned against transferring or handing money or valuables to unverified individuals. They emphasized that legitimate government officials will never request money transfers, banking details, or the installation of unofficial mobile apps over the phone.
Anyone uncertain about a suspicious call can contact the ScamShield helpline at 1799 for verification.
