Malaysian man joins Cambodia scam ring targeting Singaporeans, fired within three days after failing to cheat anyone

A Malaysian man who reportedly failed to deceive a single victim after joining a Cambodia-based scam syndicate has been sentenced to 16 months and two weeks' imprisonment in Singapore for his role in the organised criminal group.

Yip Chee Ming, 30, was sentenced on 26 June 2026 after pleading guilty to one count of being a member of an organised crime syndicate.

A separate cheating charge was taken into consideration during sentencing.

Background to recruitment

Court proceedings heard that Yip learnt about the opportunity through a friend identified as Jason in October 2024.

Jason expressed interest in joining the operation but did not want to travel alone and persuaded Yip to accompany him.

The pair were subsequently added to a Telegram group by Tang Soon Wah, who was identified in court documents as one of the syndicate's leaders.

Tang arranged for them to visit the scam compound in Phnom Penh, described as a five-storey building with security guards stationed outside.

After returning briefly to Malaysia to consider the offer, they flew to Cambodia on 21 November 2024.

Failed scam attempts

Yip began work on 22 November 2024, posing as a bank officer in calls targeting Singaporeans.

According to court proceedings, trainers supplied callers with scripts and coached them to sound more convincing, including advising them to adopt a Singaporean accent.

He was promised a monthly salary of US$1,800, equivalent to about S$2,330, to be paid in cryptocurrency, together with a one per cent commission on money obtained from victims.

Despite following the prepared script, Yip failed to persuade anyone to hand over money during his first day.

He tried again the following day but was again unsuccessful.

On 23 November 2024, Tang dismissed him from the operation and deleted their messages.

Court documents did not specify how Yip subsequently returned to Malaysia.

Structure of the syndicate

The Cambodia-based organisation specialised in government official impersonation scams targeting victims in Singapore.

Its leadership allegedly oversaw operations and paid commissions to scam callers, while supervisors and trainers managed day-to-day activities and instructed recruits on their techniques.

The syndicate also maintained a money laundering team responsible for converting criminal proceeds into cryptocurrency.

Court documents indicated there were at least 78 suspected members within the criminal organisation.

More than S$52 million in losses

Authorities believe the syndicate was involved in at least 528 reported scam cases between 3 September 2024 and 5 September 2025, with victims collectively losing about S$52.5 million.

Yip was arrested in Singapore on 9 September 2025 during a joint operation involving Singapore Police Force officers and the Cambodian National Police.

He was among 12 people charged as alleged members of the syndicate. The group included nine Singaporeans, one other Malaysian national and one Filipina suspect.

Authorities have warned that government official impersonation scams remain a significant threat despite an overall decline in scam reports. The number of such cases in Singapore more than doubled from 1,504 in 2024 to 3,363 in 2025, making it the country's fifth most common scam type.

Under Singapore law, membership in an organised crime group carries penalties of up to five years' imprisonment, a fine of up to S$100,000, or both.