Taiwanese woman in Singapore arrested for suspected money mule scam

SINGAPORE - Police have arrested a Taiwanese woman last Sunday (July 30) for her suspected involvement in several cases of money mule scams.

A 23-year-old Singaporean woman made a police report on July 29, stating that she had received a call from an unknown person who claimed to be a police officer. The victim was told she was being investigated by the police in China for money laundering offences and was told to provide her banking details.

After giving her details, she later discovered $100,000 being credit into her bank account from an unknown source. She was then told to withdraw the money and deliver it to the suspect.

After establishing the identity of the suspect, preliminary investigations revealed that she is believed to be involved in at least three other similar cases amounting to more than $180,000.

A money mule is a person who transfers ill-gotten money illegally on behalf of others and fraudsters are known to use money mule scams to get vulnerable individuals to transfer acquired funds.

For more information on money mule scams, members of the public can call the anti-scam helpline at 1800-722- 6688 or go to www.scamalert.sg. Anyone with information on such scams may call the Police hotline at 1800-255 0000 or submit information online at www.police.gov.sg/iwitness.

Police also advise members of the public to be wary if someone who befriends you online asks to use your bank account to receive money, or to pass money to someone else through your account. You may be in the process of being recruited as a money mule.  
 
To prevent yourself from being recruited as a money mule, adopt the following crime prevention measures:

a.    Do not give out personal particulars or bank account details to strangers;

b.    Decline any request by acquaintance for money transfers – you might unwittingly be committing a crime by laundering money for another party and

c.    If you suspect that you have received money in your account in the circumstances above, report this to the Police and the bank immediately.

If you are approached by anyone claiming to be a Police Officer, ask for the warrant card. When in doubt, please call “999” for assistance.”

a1admin@sph.com.sg