Money mule arrested while trying to get more cash from woman who already handed over $90,000
A woman was allegedly deceived into handing over $90,000 in cash to unknown people.
The money she had given up on two separate occasions was purportedly meant for topping up her online investment account.
However, she discovered her account was fake, and realised she had fallen victim to an online cryptocurrency investment scam.
She filed a police report on June 24, and a man was arrested just as he was allegedly attempting to collect more money from her.
Preliminary investigations revealed that the 27-year-old man had allegedly collected $5,000 from another victim in a similar scam.
He had purportedly used two $2 notes with specific serial numbers, which matched photographs sent via online messaging platforms to the victims, as a means of identification.
Cash amounting to $5,000 and the two $2 notes were seized as case exhibits.
The man will be charged in court on July 10 with the offence of possession of property reasonably suspected to be benefiting from criminal conduct.
He will also be charged with attempted possession of property reasonably suspected to be benefiting from criminal conduct.
The offences carry a fine of up to $150,000 and/or up to three years in jail.
The police urge members of the public to avoid being involved in money-mule activities by rejecting seemingly attractive money-making opportunities promising fast and easy payouts for collecting money.
They are also advised to avoid allowing their SingPass accounts or bank accounts to be used to receive and transfer money to others.
Individuals will be held accountable if they are found to be linked to such crimes.
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 illicit activities 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.
