Three arrested over fake SAF bulk order scams; at least S$32,000 lost
Three people aged between 16 and 31 have been arrested for allegedly facilitating fake bulk order scams involving perpetrators impersonating Singapore Armed Forces (SAF) personnel. The scams have caused losses of at least S$32,000 since early September.
- Three suspects, including a 16-year-old, were arrested for their alleged involvement in fake bulk order scams linked to SAF impersonation.
- Losses from at least five cases totalled around S$32,000.
- One suspect, a 22-year-old woman, will be charged for relinquishing her bank account.
SINGAPORE: Three individuals — two men and one woman — have been arrested for their suspected involvement in fake bulk order scams in which perpetrators impersonated personnel from the Singapore Armed Forces (SAF).
Since 4 September 2025, at least five such cases have been reported, with total losses amounting to around S$32,000.
The trio, aged between 16 and 31, were apprehended during raids conducted by officers from the Commercial Affairs Department’s Anti-Scam Command and the Central Police Division on 15 and 16 September.
According to the police, the operations took place in the vicinity of Middle Road, Woodlands Street 81, and Cantonment Road.
Several electronic devices and pre-paid cards were seized during the two-day operation.
Suspects allegedly acted under syndicate instructions
Preliminary investigations revealed that the suspects had allegedly acted on instructions from a scam syndicate to facilitate this particular scam variant.
The 16-year-old male teenager and a 22-year-old Sri Lankan woman are alleged to have relinquished their bank accounts to the syndicate in exchange for monetary compensation.
Meanwhile, a 31-year-old man is accused of helping unknown individuals subscribe to phone lines, some of which were later linked to the scam operations.
The 22-year-old woman is expected to be charged in court on 17 September for relinquishing her bank account.
If convicted, she could face imprisonment of up to two years, a fine, or both.
Investigations into the involvement of the man and the teenager are ongoing.
Police caution public against misuse of accounts and lines
The Singapore Police Force reminded members of the public to reject any requests from others to use their bank accounts or mobile lines.
“Individuals who allow their accounts or mobile lines to be used by others for criminal purposes may be held accountable,” the police said in their statement.
Surge in fake bulk food orders targeting businesses
These arrests follow a recent surge in scam reports involving fake bulk orders placed by individuals claiming to represent official organisations such as the SAF.
In these scams, fraudsters typically pose as institutional staff — for example, military or school officials — and place large food orders, sometimes exceeding S$1,000.
They often request items that are not usually carried by the business or demand urgent delivery.
Victims are then directed to a supposed “supplier” — actually an accomplice — who requests upfront payments or deposits.
Scammers often send doctored screenshots as false proof of payment. The victims only realise they have been defrauded when no payment is received and both the “customer” and “supplier” become uncontactable.
MINDEF warns businesses after spike in impersonation scams
In a Facebook post on 14 September, the Ministry of Defence (MINDEF) issued an advisory warning businesses about individuals impersonating SAF personnel to place fraudulent bulk orders.
The ministry emphasised that the SAF takes such impersonation cases seriously and confirmed that, in the seven cases known so far, there was no evidence linking any of the individuals to the SAF.
MINDEF said it has lodged police reports and urged businesses to remain cautious when handling large or unusual orders purportedly from military or government entities.
Businesses are advised to verify requests directly through official channels, particularly when asked to make payments to third parties.
Broader scam trends under investigation
The latest arrests are part of an ongoing crackdown by Singapore authorities on syndicates exploiting impersonation and business scams.
According to police, similar cases have also involved individuals impersonating school staff or corporate officers to make fake bulk purchases or reservations.
Commercial Affairs Department data shows that impersonation scams remain one of the most common fraud types in Singapore, with millions of dollars lost annually to syndicates operating across borders.
Authorities continue to urge the public to remain vigilant, cross-check identities, and report any suspicious activity through official anti-scam channels such as the ScamShield app or the Anti-Scam Hotline (1800-722-6688).
