Four Malaysians to Face Court Over Government Official Impersonation Scams Targeting Singaporeans

Three Malaysian men and one Malaysian woman, aged between 24 and 30, will be charged in Singapore’s court on 21 January 2026 for their suspected involvement in three separate cases of Government Official Impersonation Scam (GOIS).

Case One: $1.1 Million Loss

On 22 October 2025, police received a report from a victim who had lost more than $1.1 million after scammers impersonated government officials. Investigations revealed the stolen funds were laundered through payment channels and withdrawn via ATMs in Malaysia within hours.

Following extensive enquiries, officers from the Anti-Scam Command and the Royal Malaysia Police identified two men, aged 24 and 30, and arrested them on 20 January 2026. Preliminary findings showed they assisted scam syndicates by withdrawing cash using scam mule cards and handing it over to unknown persons as part of a money laundering operation.

Case Two: Fake HSBC and MAS Calls

On 19 January 2026, another victim reported receiving a call from someone posing as an HSBC officer about unauthorised credit card transactions. The call was later transferred to a person impersonating the Monetary Authority of Singapore (MAS), who accused the victim of money laundering.

The victim was instructed to withdraw $50,000 and hand it over to an “investigation officer.” He complied, handing the money to a 28-year-old man near Jurong Point. The suspect was arrested later that day at Woodlands Checkpoint while attempting to leave Singapore. Investigations suggest he was tasked by a transnational scam syndicate to collect cash from victims and pass it to other accomplices.

Case Three: Elderly Victim Targeted

Also on 19 January 2026, an elderly woman received calls from individuals impersonating M1 Singapore about lines she did not subscribe to. Later, a MAS impersonator told her that she was under investigation and warned that she would be arrested if she did not comply with the instructions. Out of fear, she handed $15,000 to a 26-year-old woman at her residence's void deck and was later instructed to provide another $9,000.

Sensing something was wrong, the victim contacted the police. Officers arrived promptly and detained the woman, who is believed to have been part of the same transnational syndicate tasked with collecting cash from victims.

Legal Proceedings

The two men in the first case will be charged with abetting unauthorised access to a bank’s computer system, an offence carrying up to two years’ imprisonment, a fine of up to $5,000, or both. The suspects in the second and third cases will be charged with abetment by conspiracy to assist another in retaining benefits from criminal conduct, which carries up to 10 years’ imprisonment, a fine of up to $500,000, or both.

Singapore’s impersonation scams remain a serious threat, with scammers exploiting fear and trust to deceive victims. The Singapore Police Force has stepped up enforcement efforts and driven additional measures.

Related Reading:

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• Singapore Police Warn of STRO Impersonation Scam: $408,000 Lost Since April