2 S'poreans involved in scamming people out of $41m deported from Cambodia and Thailand, arrested here
Two Singaporean men have been arrested by the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) of the Singapore Police Force (SPF) following their deportation from Thailand and Cambodia.
They are believed to be members of an organised criminal group based in Phnom Penh that allegedly conducted government official impersonation scams targeting Singapore victims.
The syndicate is believed to be responsible for at least 438 reported scam cases, involving losses of at least $41 million. The group operated out of a compound in Phnom Penh, which was disrupted during a joint operation by the SPF and Cambodian National Police (CNP) on Sept 9.
As part of ongoing investigations, the SPF had previously issued prohibition of disposal orders and seized assets linked to the syndicate.
Wayne Soh You Chen, 27, was arrested by the CNP in Phnom Penh, while Brian Sie Eng Fa, 32, was arrested by the Royal Thai Police (RTP) during a raid in Khon Kaen, Thailand.
Both are among 34 suspects wanted by the SPF for being part of the syndicate. Their arrests were made possible through close collaboration and intelligence sharing between the Singapore, Cambodian and Thai police.
The two men were deported to Singapore and arrested upon arrival on Nov 16.
They were to be charged in court on Nov 17 with facilitating the commission of a serious offence, in furtherance of the illegal purpose of a locally linked organised criminal group.
The offence carries a penalty of up to five years' imprisonment, a fine of up to $100,000 or both.
