Singaporean authorities have charged two men linked to a vast call center scam operation based in Cambodia, highlighting the transnational nature of organized crime targeting victims for tens of millions of dollars.
Wayne So Yu Chen, 27, and Bryan See Ing Fa, 32, face charges under Singapore’s Organised Crime Act. They are accused of participating in acts that facilitated a fraud offense and supported the illegal objectives of a “Singapore-linked criminal group.”
The men allegedly operated as call center scammers from Phnom Penh, Cambodia, around September. Police believe the syndicate is responsible for at least 438 cases, resulting in total losses exceeding S$41 million (approximately $30.3 million USD).
The charges follow a joint operation in September by Singaporean and Cambodian authorities. This collaboration led to the dismantling of the criminal gang.
The syndicate primarily targeted victims in Singapore. Its members impersonated Singaporean government officials to deceive their victims.
Mr. So was deported from Cambodia. Mr. See was apprehended during a raid in Khon Kaen province, Thailand. Both were then deported to Singapore and arrested upon their arrival on November 16.
The two men are among 34 suspects sought by the Singapore Police Force. An alleged Singaporean gang leader, Ng Wei Liang, remains at large with 31 other individuals.
Other members already in custody in Singapore include Ng Wei Kang, the alleged leader’s brother, and his girlfriend, Christie Neo Wei En. Their requests for bail have been denied.
So and See are currently detained for further investigation. They are scheduled to report back to court on November 24. If convicted of knowingly facilitating a serious offense for a criminal gang, they face up to five years in prison, a fine of up to S$100,000 (approximately $74,000 USD), or both.