More than 6,300 people in Singapore were victims of “fake friend” scams last year, collectively losing almost $16 million, according to police.
These scams involve fraudsters posing as someone known to the victim and requesting financial assistance.
The city-state has seen a surge in scams, prompting frequent warnings from authorities.*
The scams incurred losses of Sg$21.1 million ($15.7 million) between January and November 2023.
In the latest case, five Malaysians were extradited to Singapore for their involvement in “fake friend” scams, leading to over $1 million in lost funds.
The suspects, aged 19 to 36, were arrested in a joint operation by Malaysian and Singaporean police.*
The extradition followed a raid on two apartments in Malaysia’s Johor state, bordering Singapore.
The syndicate is believed to be responsible for over 500 police reports and losses exceeding Sg$1.4 million since June 2023. If convicted of conspiracy to cheat, the suspects could face up to 10 years in jail and fines.
