Oct 30, 2025
Recent reports say 27 Singaporeans and 7 Malaysians are wanted internationally (announced on 29 Oct 2025) over links to a Cambodia-based scam ring, with Singapore Police working with Interpol as the suspects are overseas. The situation isn’t as simple as “scammers are victims”: while some people are forced to work in scam centres, not all are, and there are many different syndicates. Scam hubs have operated across parts of Myanmar and Cambodia for years despite crackdowns, and multiple groups run independently. Because of that, earlier reports about a Cambodia “scam empire” sanctioned by the US may not be directly related to this latest group of 27 Singaporeans; these could be separate syndicates. The case involving the 27 Singaporeans is on a Phnom Penh–based syndicate targeting Singapore. Members allegedly impersonated bank officers and government officials. Investigations began earlier: in September, 12 people were arrested in Singapore for willingly travelling to Cambodia to scam (with commissions for successes), followed by three more arrests. Police later identified 34 alleged members in the syndicate, including 27 Singaporeans currently abroad, hence the wanted notices. Singapore is considering tougher punishments: Parliament recently discussed adding caning for scammers, syndicate members, and recruiters, with up to 24 strokes; facilitators who supply accounts, Singpass logins, or SIM cards could face up to 12 strokes.
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