Enforcement Actions Against Middlemen Who Recruit People to Facilitate Scams

Question:

Mr Gerald Giam Yean Song: To ask the Coordinating Minister for National Security and Minister for Home Affairs regarding the student who was sentenced for selling her bank account for scam purposes, (a) whether the individuals who provided her with the scammers' contacts been identified, arrested or charged; and (b) what is the enforcement policy and penalties against individuals who do not sell their bank accounts but provide introductions and facilitate the commission of scams.

Answer:

Mr K Shanmugam, Coordinating Minister for National Security and Minister for Home Affairs:

1. On 1 October 2025, a Sri Lankan student was sentenced to three months and two weeks’ imprisonment and fined $1,100, for relinquishing control of her bank account to scammers. Her bank account was found to have received almost $18,000 in scam proceeds, most of which were from fake bulk order scams.

2. The accused claimed that she faced financial difficulties, and online “friends” had given her an unknown person’s details to whom she could sell her bank account. The accused had made the acquaintance of these “friends” online, but had never met them in person. The Police were unable to identify these individuals from the information provided by the accused.

3. The Police will take tough enforcement action against anyone who facilitates scams, including middlemen who help scammers recruit money mules. Depending on the facts of the case, such middlemen may face imprisonment terms of up to 10 years, a fine of up to $500,000, or both.