11 arrested in Singapore, Malaysia, and Hong Kong in joint operation against scam syndicate
A joint police operation involving Singapore, Malaysia, and Hong Kong has led to 11 arrests and the seizure of 226 GSM gateway devices. Authorities say the syndicate was behind sophisticated scam calls routed through local mobile networks to deceive victims.
- A joint operation involving Singapore, Malaysia, and Hong Kong led to 11 arrests between April and June 2025.
- The syndicate used GSM gateway devices and cloud systems to disguise scam calls as local.
- Authorities seized 226 devices and charged a 29-year-old man in Singapore with conspiracy to commit cheating offences.
A coordinated law enforcement operation has resulted in the arrest of 11 individuals linked to a scam syndicate operating across Singapore, Malaysia, and Hong Kong, the Singapore Police Force (SPF) said on Tuesday, 17 June.
The suspects, aged between 24 and 48, were detained during raids carried out between April and June 2025. The joint action was conducted by the SPF, the Royal Malaysia Police (RMP), and the Hong Kong Police Force (HKPF).
Sophisticated methods uncovered
Investigations revealed that the syndicate used Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) GSM gateway devices to carry out large-scale scam calls. By exploiting these devices, fraudsters could route calls through local networks, convincing victims that the calls originated domestically.
The syndicate further employed an advanced cloud-based remote operating system, enabling real-time connections to GSM mobile networks in all three countries. Authorities described the system as an example of how criminal groups adapt to technological advances to conceal their operations.
Seizure of 226 GSM gateway devices
During the raids, officers seized 226 GSM gateway devices across the three jurisdictions. Of these, 75 were confiscated in Singapore, 10 in Malaysia, and 141 in Hong Kong.
Police said these devices formed the backbone of the syndicate’s infrastructure, enabling the mass dissemination of fraudulent calls and making it harder for victims to detect deception.
Court proceedings against arrested suspect
Among the 11 arrested was a 29-year-old man taken into custody in Malaysia on 3 June. He was subsequently transferred to Singapore, where he was charged in court on 5 June with being party to a criminal conspiracy to commit cheating offences.
If convicted, he faces imprisonment of up to 10 years and a fine.
Authorities in Singapore said investigations into the wider network remain ongoing, with further arrests possible as evidence continues to be analysed.
FRONTIER+ platform central to coordination
The joint operation was facilitated through FRONTIER+, a transnational law enforcement collaboration platform involving 10 jurisdictions, including Singapore, Malaysia, and Hong Kong.
The system allowed police forces to share intelligence in real time, identify syndicate members, and coordinate simultaneous raids across multiple territories.
Strong partnerships against transnational crime
David Chew, Director of the SPF’s Commercial Affairs Department (CAD), said the case highlighted the need for cross-border collaboration.
“A transnational threat requires a transnational response,” he said.
He added that scam syndicates now build “sophisticated transnational cloud network infrastructure to launch attacks on our citizenry,” underscoring the importance of international cooperation in dismantling such networks.
Chew noted that the success of the operation demonstrated the effectiveness of strong partnerships with the HKPF and RMP, stressing that “coordinated efforts with foreign counterparts were instrumental in arresting the criminals maintaining the syndicate’s infrastructure.”
Public urged to stay vigilant
Authorities reiterated their call for the public to remain alert to potential scams. Members of the public can visit www.scamshield.gov.sg or call the ScamShield helpline at 1799 for information on preventing fraud.
Those with information about scam-related activities are encouraged to call the Police Hotline at 1800-255-0000 or submit details online via www.police.gov.sg/i-witness. The SPF assured that all information provided will be kept strictly confidential.
Broader context of scam prevention
Singapore has faced a rising number of scam cases in recent years, with technology-driven methods increasingly exploited by criminals.
According to the SPF’s 2024 mid-year crime statistics, scams accounted for more than half of overall reported crimes in the country. Losses exceeded S$330 million in the first half of the year, with phishing, investment scams, and job scams among the most prevalent types.
Authorities have stepped up both enforcement and public education campaigns, emphasising that prevention is the most effective defence against increasingly complex scams.
