Six mainland Chinese nationals, aged 32 to 42, and one Singaporean, aged 34, were charged in court on 10 and 11 September for their suspected involvement in illegal global cyber activities in Singapore. The arrests followed a raid on 9 September, involving 160 police officers from various departments of the Singapore Police Force (SPF). The operation led to the seizure of electronic devices and cash amounting to S$543,600.
Background
The suspects are believed to be linked to a global syndicate conducting malicious cyber activities. The SPF’s Criminal Investigation Department, Police Intelligence Department, Special Operations Command, and the Internal Security Department coordinated the raids across multiple residential locations island-wide. The operation aimed to dismantle the syndicate’s operations within Singapore.
Arrest locations
Bidadari Park Drive
A 42-year-old Chinese national was arrested at his condominium along Bidadari Park Drive. He was found with a laptop containing credentials to access internet servers used by known hacker groups. Authorities seized five laptops, six mobile phones, cash exceeding S$24,000, and cryptocurrency worth approximately USD$850,000.
Cairnhill Road
Another Chinese national, aged 38, was apprehended at his condominium along Cairnhill Road. He was suspected of attempting to purchase personally identifiable information obtained through illegal means. The police confiscated one laptop, nine mobile phones, and S$465,000 in cash from him.
Mount Sinai Avenue
Three Chinese nationals were arrested at a landed property along Mount Sinai Avenue. A 38-year-old man was found with laptops containing unauthorised data, including personal information from foreign internet service providers. Two laptops, three mobile phones, and cash exceeding S$52,000 were seized from him.
A 35-year-old man was discovered with a laptop containing various hacking tools, suspected of preparing to conduct cyber-attacks. Authorities seized two laptops, four mobile phones, and cash exceeding S$2,600 from him.
The third individual, a 32-year-old man, possessed a laptop with specialised software to control malware. Three laptops and four mobile phones were confiscated from him.
Hougang Avenue
The Singaporean suspect was arrested at his HDB block residence along Hougang Avenue for allegedly abetting the illegal cyber activities.
Seventh man charged on 11 September
A seventh man, a 42-year-old Chinese national, was arrested and charged on 11 September. He is accused of instigating the Singaporean to assist the three accused individuals residing at Mount Sinai Avenue by subscribing to a Singtel broadband plan. All seven men remain in custody.
Legal implications
Under the Computer Misuse Act 1993, unauthorised access to computer material carries a fine of up to S$5,000, an imprisonment term of up to two years, or both. Retaining or offering to supply unauthorised personal information, and retaining software for committing offences, are punishable with a fine of up to S$10,000, an imprisonment term of up to three years, or both. Abetting unauthorised access to websites is punishable with a fine of up to S$5,000, an imprisonment term of up to two years, or both, for first-time offenders.
Ongoing investigations
The SPF continues to investigate the extent of the syndicate’s operations and its impact on global cyber security. The arrests highlight the ongoing efforts to combat cybercrime and protect personal information from unauthorised access and misuse. Further developments are expected as the investigation progresses.
