Singapore authorities have arrested 38 people for their suspected involvement in selling or renting out YouTrip accounts to scam syndicates, according to the Singapore Police Force (SPF).
Channel News Asia reported that the arrests followed a surge in scam cases across September and October, during which victims were deceived into making payments through fraudulent PayNow QR codes generated via the YouTrip app.
The suspects, aged between 15 and 52, were taken into custody during a four-day islandwide operation conducted from October 28 to 31.
Nine others, aged 16 to 55, are also assisting in investigations.
Preliminary findings suggest that scammers may have used these accounts to facilitate various types of fraud, including e-commerce, job, rental, investment, and impersonation scams.
Victims were reportedly instructed to scan PayNow QR codes, resulting in funds being transferred directly into the scammers’ YouTrip wallets.
Police said some of those arrested are believed to have provided their payment cards and login credentials, allowing syndicates to withdraw money.
In several instances, the funds were allegedly withdrawn from overseas ATMs or transferred online shortly after the scams took place.
Investigations also found that a 55-year-old woman, one of those arrested, was herself a victim of an internet love scam who had opened a YouTrip account under instructions from scammers and lost about S$300,000.
Telegram Used to Recruit Suspected YouTrip Money Mules
YouTrip stated that PayNow QR codes generated through its platform are intended only for topping up a user’s own wallet, not for transferring money to others.
The police noted that some suspected money mules were recruited through Telegram messages offering quick cash in exchange for renting or selling payment accounts.
Since September, more than 300 such Telegram accounts have been disrupted.
The suspects are being investigated for offences including cheating, facilitating unauthorised access to computer material, and money laundering.
Cheating carries a jail term of up to three years, a fine, or both.
Facilitating unauthorised computer access may result in up to two years’ jail, a fine, or both, while money laundering carries a similar penalty.
New measures introduced in October restrict access to financial, telecommunications, and digital identity services for individuals identified as scam mules.
Depending on their assessed risk, they may be barred from making ATM withdrawals, using online banking, or opening new accounts.
The SPF reminded the public not to share bank or payment account details with others, warning that account holders may still be held accountable if their accounts are linked to criminal activities.
Featured image: Edited by Fintech News Singapore, based on image by fukume via Freepik
