crime
Electrician jailed after 50,000 scam calls siphon S$1.6m from Singapore victims
A Malaysian electrician installed devices in a Singapore rental that blasted thousands of automated scam calls, causing S$1.6 million in losses; he pleaded guilty to conspiracy and was sentenced to five years and three months in jail.
Apr 3rd 2026 · Singapore
Insights
- Devices in a rented Singapore house made over 50,000 automated scam calls in 50 minutes.
- Calls used about 18,000 phone numbers and masked origins to appear local.
- Around 40 phone numbers led to 42 police reports from victims.
- Victims lost more than S$1.6 million, about US$1.2 million, in under three weeks.
- Malaysian electrician Chong Wei Hao, 42, installed and maintained the devices after being recruited by a syndicate.
- Chong pleaded guilty to one count of criminal conspiracy and was jailed for five years and three months and fined S$895.
Sources
- Man set up devices in Singapore blasting 50,000 scam calls in 50 minutes; victims lost S$1.6 million www.channelnewsasia.com
- Jail for man who installed devices used to broadcast scam calls linked to over $1.6m in losses www.straitstimes.com
- 102 arrested, 67 properties seized in bust of fraud network disguised as call centers mexiconewsdaily.com
- 50 minutes, 50,000 calls, US$1.2 million lost: Singapore’s high-speed scam www.scmp.com