People gather next to the Merlion statue in front of the Marina Bay Sands resort in Singapore on Dec. 2, 2024. Photo by AFP
Scam syndicates believed to be operating from Malaysia are increasingly relying on couriers and in-person handovers to collect cash and valuables from victims in Singapore, according to police and crime experts.
Recent police cases suggest some criminals are turning to cross-border transfers as scammers pivot away from online transfers to avoid increasingly strict anti-scam protections, the South China Morning Post reported.
On March 5, police reported that more than 50 Malaysians had been arrested and charged since May 2025 for helping syndicates collect cash and valuables from victims in Singapore, including nine arrests so far this year, The Straits Times reported.
Singaporean police said they have observed an increasing trend of Malaysian nationals traveling to Singapore to assist scam syndicates in collecting cash and valuables from victims.
Under Singapore’s new regulations, from Dec. 30, 2025, scammers and members or recruiters of scam syndicates will face mandatory caning of at least six strokes, and up to 24 strokes, The Straits Times reported.
Scam mules who help launder scam proceeds face discretionary caning of up to 12 strokes.
Individuals involved in mule-related offenses may face restrictions on banking services and mobile line subscriptions.
Data shows that scammers have also begun targeting valuables.
In 2025 alone, Singapore recorded at least 131 cases across various scam types in which victims handed over gold, luxury watches or other items after being instructed to purchase or produce them for supposed “investigation” or “investment” purposes.
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