Man and woman arrested for creating and selling WhatsApp accounts used in investment scams
A 37-year-old man and a 33-year-old woman have been arrested for their suspected involvement in illegal telecommunication activities that facilitated investment scams targeting Singapore residents.
Between Nov 13 and 14, officers from the Anti-Scam Command conducted an operation leading to the arrest of the pair who are believed to be part of a syndicate involved in One-Time Password (OTP) activation services.
These services enabled the creation and sale of WhatsApp accounts, which were then used to perpetrate scams.
According to the police, the suspects used both local and foreign SIM cards to create WhatsApp accounts, which were allegedly handed over to overseas-based scam syndicates.
These syndicates used the accounts to trick Singapore residents into falling for fraudulent investment schemes.
During the operation, authorities seized over 6,800 SIM cards, 15 mobile phones, and two laptops.
Additionally, more than $10,000 in cash was recovered, along with two cryptocurrency e-wallets containing over 59,000 USDT (Tether, a cryptocurrency stablecoin).
The duo will face charges in court on Nov 15 for abetment by conspiracy to commit cheating.
The offence carries a penalty of up to 10 years' jail and a fine.
The police said they take a serious view against any person who may be involved in scams and frauds, and perpetrators will be dealt with in accordance with the law.
For more information on scams, members of the public can visit www.scamshield.gov.sg or call the ScamShield Helpline at 1799.
Anyone with information on such scams may call the police hotline at 1800-255-0000 or submit information online at www.police.gov.sg/i-witness.
All information will be kept strictly confidential.
