JAKARTA - A 15-year-old Malaysian teenager was arrested in Singapore on suspicion of money laundering related to a permanent residence permit (PR) fraud.
The Sun quoted Mothership as reporting that the case was initially revealed after the Singapore Police received two reports involving PR applications on April 9 and 11.
In the two cases, the victims handed over 7,500 Singapore dollars and 2,200 Singapore dollars to unknown individuals after receiving instructions from the perpetrators.
The victims then realized that they had been cheated after verifying the status of their application with the Singapore Immigration and Checkpoints Authority (ICA).
After the officers of the Bedok Police Division of Singapore conducted an investigation, the scammer was identified as a 15-year-old teenager who was arrested on April 21.
Initial findings indicate that the teenager acted on instructions from an unknown individual, to collect and transport cash from the victims.
Investigators believe the case also allegedly includes certain money laundering violations under the Anti-Corruption, Drug Trafficking and Other Serious Crimes (Confiscation of Profits) Act, as well as Singpass-related violations and illegal SIM card transactions.
A Singapore court held a trial against the teenager yesterday, April 22, on charges of helping others to profit from criminal fraud and alleged money laundering.
The threat of violating the law is a maximum of 10 years in prison, a fine of up to 500,000 Singapore dollars, or both.
Police have issued a warning to the public not to transfer money or valuables to unknown individuals or those whose identities cannot be verified.
The arrest comes amid a significant strengthening of Singapore's anti-fraud laws.
Starting December 30, 2025, people who are proven to have committed fraud, including syndicate members, and recruiters in Singapore will be required to be whipped between 6 to 24 times.
"Money couriers" who help launder the proceeds of crime can also face whipping up to 12 times.
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