A 15-year-old Malaysian teenager has been arrested in Singapore for suspected money laundering linked to permanent residency scams involving over S$9,700.
PETALING JAYA: A 15-year-old Malaysian teenager has been arrested in Singapore for his suspected involvement in money laundering linked to permanent residency (PR) scams.
The Singapore Police Force received two reports on April 9 and 11 concerning scams involving PR applications. In both instances, victims handed over S$7,500 (RM24,821) and S$2,200 (RM7,280) to an unknown individual after receiving instructions from scammers, Mothership reported.
The victims realised they had been defrauded only after verifying their application status with the Immigration and Checkpoints Authority (ICA).
Following an investigation by officers from the Bedok Police Division, the teenager was identified and apprehended on April 21.
Preliminary findings suggest the youth was acting on instructions from unknown individuals to collect and transport cash from the victims. Investigators believe he may be linked to other similar cases.
The teenager is scheduled to be charged in a Singapore court today, April 22, with assisting another person to retain benefits from criminal conduct.
The offence carries a potential prison sentence of up to 10 years, a fine of up to S$500,000 (RM1,654,775), or both.
The police have issued a reminder to the public never to transfer money or valuables to unknown individuals or those whose identities cannot be verified.
The arrest comes amidst a significant toughening of Singapore’s anti-scam laws. Since Dec 30 2025, scammers, syndicate members and recruiters face mandatory caning of between six and 24 strokes.
“Money mules” who assist in laundering proceeds may also face discretionary caning of up to 12 strokes.
These penalties cover specific money laundering offences under the Corruption, Drug Trafficking and Other Serious Crimes (Confiscation of Benefits) Act, as well as offences related to Singpass and illegal SIM card transactions.
