Two males, aged 26 and 47, will seem in courtroom on 15 June 2024, for his or her alleged involvement in malware-enabled scams concentrating on Singaporeans since June 2023.
In 2023, at the very least 1,899 victims in Singapore have been deceived into downloading malware, leading to losses exceeding S$34.1 million.
The malware allowed scammers to remotely entry victims’ units, stealing private and banking data to carry out fraudulent transactions.
The Singapore Police Drive (SPF) recognized a multi-jurisdictional operation, with involvement from the Hong Kong Police Drive (HKPF) and the Royal Malaysia Police (RMP), to research these crimes.
The joint effort led to the arrest of the 2 suspects in Malaysia on 12 June 2024. They have been extradited to Singapore on 14 June.
Preliminary investigations recommend the suspects operated servers to contaminate Android telephones with malicious apps, enabling them to regulate the units and compromise financial institution accounts.
The SPF additionally collaborated with Taiwan Police, ensuing within the takedown of a rip-off syndicate in Kaohsiung Metropolis, and with the HKPF, which dismantled 52 malware-controlling servers and arrested 14 people concerned within the scams.
The suspects will likely be charged beneath the Pc Misuse Act, which may lead to fines as much as $50,000 and imprisonment as much as seven years.
The 47-year-old faces extra costs beneath the Corruption, Drug Trafficking and Different Critical Crimes Act, with penalties together with fines as much as $500,000 and imprisonment as much as 10 years. Each males will likely be remanded for additional investigation.
Assistant Commissioner of Police Paul Tay mentioned,
“We’re grateful for the robust partnership from our Malaysian, Hong Kong and Taiwanese counterparts, which has enabled us to disrupt this felony operation and stop additional harms to victims.
The SPF would additionally wish to thank the Cyber Safety Company of Singapore for his or her assist. The SPF will spare no effort to go after criminals, even those that function past our borders, and we’ll proceed to work with our international legislation enforcement companions to carry these criminals to justice.”
The general public is reminded to obtain apps solely from official shops and to remain vigilant in opposition to suspicious requests for app installations.
