Local recruitment patterns for scam money mule networks and measures to disrupt recruiter pipelines

Question:

Mr Jackson Lam: To ask the Coordinating Minister for National Security and Minister for Home Affairs in respect of the 167 individuals under Police investigation for suspected involvement in scams as scammers or money mules (a) how many are believed to be acting independently versus being part of organised syndicates; (b) how many are recruited locally; and (c) what measures are in place to disrupt recruiter pipelines rather than only money mule endpoints.

Answer:

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

1. Police are unable to comment on the cases involving the 167 individuals as investigations are ongoing.

2. From past concluded cases, it has been difficult to secure sufficient evidence to conclusively prove whether money mules are members of scam syndicates. That said, Police’s observation is that most money mules facilitate the activities of scam syndicates, and these syndicates typically conduct mule recruitment through online messaging and social media platforms.

3. The Police issue directions under the Online Criminal Harms Act (OCHA) to take down scam-related accounts and advertisements, including those used to recruit money mules. Online platforms are also subject to ex ante requirements under the OCHA Codes of Practice, which are intended to reduce the prevalence of scam accounts and advertisements. The Police and National Crime Prevention Council also conduct regular public education campaigns to raise awareness of the tactics of scam syndicates when recruiting mules, and the penalties of being a mule.