Malaysian man joins S$52m Cambodian scam ring targeting Singaporeans, gets sacked for being useless

SINGAPORE, June 26 — A Malaysian man who joined a Cambodian scam syndicate was jailed after he failed to cheat any victims and was fired within days of starting work as a scam caller.

According to The Straits Times, court documents showed that the 30-year-old was recruited into a Phnom Penh-based syndicate that targeted Singaporeans through government official impersonation scams, before being arrested during a police operation in 2025.

He was sentenced to 16 months and two weeks’ jail after pleading guilty to being a member of an organised crime syndicate. Another cheating charge was taken into consideration.

The court heard he joined the operation after a friend introduced him to the job, and later travelled to Cambodia in November 2024 after being added to a Telegram group run by syndicate leaders.

He was tasked with posing as a bank officer to defraud Singaporeans and was promised US$1,800 (RM7,370) monthly plus commissions, but failed to scam any victims despite following scripts provided by trainers.

After two days of unsuccessful attempts, he was dismissed by the syndicate and later returned to Malaysia.

Authorities said the syndicate involved at least 78 members and had been linked to over 500 scam cases involving losses of about S$52.5 million between 2024 and 2025.

He was among 12 people charged in Singapore following a joint operation by Singapore and Cambodian police.

Under Singapore law, being part of an organised crime group carries a penalty of up to five years’ jail, a fine of up to S$100,000, or both.