SINGAPORE: A total of 78 people, aged between 17 and 63, are being investigated for allegedly giving their Singpass credentials to scammers.
Preliminary investigations revealed that some allegedly sold their details for S$10,000 (US$7,340) each, the police said in a news release on Thursday (Apr 18).
"The Singpass credentials were then misused to open new bank accounts and to register for new mobile phone lines. Most subjects would fail to receive the promised fees from the scammers."
Others were suspected of providing people with the means of accessing their own Singpass accounts, without knowing who they were granting access to.
The 46 men and 32 women were rounded up following an islandwide joint anti-scam enforcement operation conducted between Apr 8 and Apr 15. Ten of them were later arrested.
The operation involved officers from the Commercial Affairs Department (CAD) and the seven police land divisions.
Government Technology Agency (GovTech) staff co-located at CAD also supported the operation by providing information related to the investigation.
Police investigations are ongoing.
The police advised members of the public to reject seemingly attractive money-making opportunities promising fast and easy payouts for the use of their Singpass accounts.
This is to avoid being an accomplice, said the police, adding that such individuals will be held accountable if they are found to be linked to such crimes.
Members of the public were also cautioned to not disclose their Singpass credentials, passwords or 2FA details to unknown individuals.
"Scammers can use these Singpass accounts to access a whole suite of digital facilities, including opening bank accounts, e-wallets and crypto accounts and registering for mobile phone lines, to perpetuate scams and other criminal activities", said the police.
The Computer Misuse (Amendment) Bill and the Corruption, Drug Trafficking and Other Serious Offences (Confiscation of Benefits) (Amendment) Bill were passed in parliament in 2023.
These amendments seek to deter people from enabling or facilitating criminal activities and also help protect citizens and businesses using Singpass in their everyday transactions.
The new offences under the amended legislation came into effect on Feb 8 this year.
The offence of disclosing a user’s Singpass credentials to facilitate an offence under the Computer Misuse Act carries a jail term of up to three years, a fine, or both.
The offence of acquiring benefits from criminal conduct under the Corruption, Drug Trafficking and Other Serious Crimes (Confiscation of Benefits) Act carries a jail term of up to 10 years, a fine of up to S$500,000, or both.
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Preliminary investigations revealed that some allegedly sold their details for S$10,000 (US$7,340) each, the police said in a news release on Thursday (Apr 18).
"The Singpass credentials were then misused to open new bank accounts and to register for new mobile phone lines. Most subjects would fail to receive the promised fees from the scammers."
Others were suspected of providing people with the means of accessing their own Singpass accounts, without knowing who they were granting access to.
The 46 men and 32 women were rounded up following an islandwide joint anti-scam enforcement operation conducted between Apr 8 and Apr 15. Ten of them were later arrested.
The operation involved officers from the Commercial Affairs Department (CAD) and the seven police land divisions.
Government Technology Agency (GovTech) staff co-located at CAD also supported the operation by providing information related to the investigation.
Police investigations are ongoing.
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POLICE ADVICE
The police advised members of the public to reject seemingly attractive money-making opportunities promising fast and easy payouts for the use of their Singpass accounts.
This is to avoid being an accomplice, said the police, adding that such individuals will be held accountable if they are found to be linked to such crimes.
Members of the public were also cautioned to not disclose their Singpass credentials, passwords or 2FA details to unknown individuals.
"Scammers can use these Singpass accounts to access a whole suite of digital facilities, including opening bank accounts, e-wallets and crypto accounts and registering for mobile phone lines, to perpetuate scams and other criminal activities", said the police.
The Computer Misuse (Amendment) Bill and the Corruption, Drug Trafficking and Other Serious Offences (Confiscation of Benefits) (Amendment) Bill were passed in parliament in 2023.
These amendments seek to deter people from enabling or facilitating criminal activities and also help protect citizens and businesses using Singpass in their everyday transactions.
The new offences under the amended legislation came into effect on Feb 8 this year.
The offence of disclosing a user’s Singpass credentials to facilitate an offence under the Computer Misuse Act carries a jail term of up to three years, a fine, or both.
The offence of acquiring benefits from criminal conduct under the Corruption, Drug Trafficking and Other Serious Crimes (Confiscation of Benefits) Act carries a jail term of up to 10 years, a fine of up to S$500,000, or both.
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