Five Scammers Jailed and Fined for Defrauding 70 Singapore Victims of Over $164,000

Five Malaysian men involved in a large-scale scam operation targeting at least 70 victims in Singapore have been sentenced to jail and fined. The men, recruited by a transnational syndicate, operated a "fake friend scam call" scheme from a scam center in Johor Bahru, causing losses exceeding $164,000.

Scammers in Johor Bahru earned RM3,000 monthly, later rising to RM5,500.

The victims, aged between 68 and 76, were deceived into transferring money through text messages and phone calls from scammers pretending to be acquaintances in need of financial help. The convicted individuals started working for the syndicate between May and August 2023, with some collaborating to defraud the same targets.

Sentences and Fines

• Chua Zi Huang, 24: Jailed for four years and seven months, fined $12,000, with an additional 25 days in jail if the fine is unpaid. He scammed 54 victims, causing losses over $117,000.

• Loh Chuan Sheng, 36: Sentenced to four years and four months, fined $21,000, and faces 40 extra days in jail if he defaults. He defrauded 53 victims of $116,560.

• Kek Yuan Chun, 20: Received four years and two months in prison, fined $9,000, and will serve an extra 20 days if unpaid. He cheated 52 victims out of $116,060.

• Heng Guo Hao, 27, and Yee Kong Yao, 37: Both sentenced to 3.5 years in jail. Heng was fined $15,000 with a 30-day default sentence, while Yee was fined $11,000 with a 25-day default term. They scammed 16 people of over $47,000 combined.

Scam Operations and Recruitment

The five offenders lived in condominium units at Marina Residence JB while working for the syndicate. Initially, they earned RM3,000 (S$915) per month, which later increased to RM5,000 or RM5,500. Some also received a 10% commission on the amounts they scammed, along with free food and lodging.

They reported to an individual known as "Tong Hua Shun," who provided lists of around 200 potential victims through Telegram groups. Using scripts, the scammers contacted victims, manipulated conversations to gain trust, and tricked them into transferring funds to accounts controlled by the syndicate.

Law Enforcement Crackdown

The Singapore Police Force collaborated with the Royal Malaysian Police to track down the syndicate. On January 16, 2024, Malaysian authorities raided the Marina Residence JB units, arresting the five men. A week later, they were extradited to Singapore and formally charged in court.

All five offenders pleaded guilty to cheating charges in March 2025. The case underscores the authorities' efforts to combat transnational scams and protect vulnerable victims from financial fraud.