Dozens to face first charges under anti-scam laws criminalising sharing of Singpass, bank details

SINGAPORE: A total of 40 people, aged between 18 and 43, will be charged in court for new offences connected to scam-related money mule activities.
Investigations found that they had allegedly relinquished or sold their bank accounts or Singpass credentials, thereby enabling criminal syndicates to launder money, said the Singapore Police Force (SPF) on Sunday (Sep 8). 
This is the first time individuals are being charged after amendments were passed last year to give police more powers to prosecute money mules and those who sell Singpass details to scammers. 
The new offences were introduced through amendments to the Corruption, Drug Trafficking and Other Serious Crimes (Confiscation of Benefits) Act 1992 (CDSA) and the Computer Misuse Act (CMA).
The offences came into force on Feb 8. 
The 33 men and seven women will be charged from Sep 9 to Sep 11, the police said. 
Some of them had allegedly cheated banks into opening accounts and handed over ATM cards and online banking details to strangers. Others are accused of unlawfully disclosing their Singpass credentials.
This enabled criminal syndicates to misuse their identities in the opening of bank accounts, the police added. 
In one case, one person is alleged to have enabled a stranger to control their bank account, which was subsequently used to launder more than S$300,000 of criminal proceeds. 
In another case, a Singpass account holder is accused of enabling a stranger to access his identity in response to an offer for fast cash. His identity was then used to open four bank accounts and to launder more than S$500,000 of criminal proceeds.
The offence of assisting another to retain benefits from criminal conduct under the Corruption, Drug Trafficking and Other Serious Crimes (Confiscation of Benefits) Act carries an imprisonment term of up to three years, a fine, or both. 
Those found guilty of cheating under the Penal Code face up to three years’ jail, a fine, or both. 
The offence of facilitating unauthorised access to computer material under the Computer Misuse Act carries an imprisonment term of up to two years, a fine, or both, for a first conviction. 
Those found guilty of unlawful disclosure of password or access code in relation to the national digital identity service face an imprisonment term of up to three years, a fine, or both.
“The police take a serious view of these offences and will not hesitate to take action against individuals who may be involved in scams, and perpetrators will be sternly dealt with in accordance with the law,” said SPF. 
The Sentencing Advisory Panel has also published guidelines that recommend “significant imprisonment sentences” as the norm for scams-related offences involving the handing over of bank accounts or the disclosure of Singpass credentials. 
“The courts also have the discretion to enhance sentences if there are aggravating factors, such as the involvement of vulnerable victims,” added the police.