Malaysian scam syndicate mastermind arrested in cross-border crackdown

SINGAPORE, 23 SEPTEMBER 2026 —

A 27-year-old Malaysian man alleged to be the mastermind of a scam syndicate operating in Singapore was arrested in Malaysia on September 22 and handed over to Singaporean authorities, police confirmed.

Singapore Police Force (SPF) investigations revealed Da Xiang organised ATM withdrawals, distributed earnings to runners, and oversaw the movement of stolen gold and cash across the Johor-Singapore border. He allegedly met with at least four Malaysian "runners" in Johor Bahru, directing them to collect valuables from scam victims before returning the proceeds to him.

Da Xiang was charged on September 23 under Section 109C of Singapore’s Penal Code, which criminalises conspiracy to retain benefits from criminal conduct. If convicted, he faces up to 10 years in prison and a $500,000 fine. His arrest follows a rising trend of Malaysians travelling to Singapore to assist scam syndicates, with police warning that perpetrators will be prosecuted under local laws.

The SPF credited the Royal Malaysia Police’s Commercial Crime Investigation Department for assisting in the arrest, which took place under a Special Arrangement on Mutual Legal Assistance (MLA). Senior Assistant Commissioner of Police Justin Wong, head of Singapore’s Cyber Command, emphasised the need for sustained international cooperation to dismantle such networks. "Scam syndicates know no borders," he said.

"It is only through close and sustained cooperation with our international partners that we can effectively dismantle these criminal networks."

The case underscores broader regional challenges, as Southeast Asia remains a hotspot for transnational scam operations. In 2023, Singapore recorded over 15,000 scam cases, with losses exceeding $300 million, while Malaysia’s Anti-Financial Crime Agency (ACI) reported a 30% rise in cases involving Malaysians facilitating cross-border fraud.

The Royal Malaysia Police did not provide further details on Da Xiang’s detention or ongoing investigations, but the arrest aligns with Malaysia’s National Anti-Money Laundering and Counter-Terrorism Financing (AML/CFT) Strategy 2021-2025, which targets syndicate members operating along the Johor-Singapore border.

Public awareness campaigns by the SPF continue to urge vigilance against impersonation scams, where criminals pose as government officials, bank employees, or law enforcement to defraud victims. Authorities reiterated that no legitimate official will demand immediate cash, gold, or bank transfers, and that victims should report incidents to Singapore’s Anti-Scam Centre (ASC) or Malaysia’s Cyber999 hotline.

While the arrest itself has no direct impact on Malaysian financial markets, it reinforces concerns over cross-border financial crime in Southeast Asia. The case may prompt closer scrutiny of money movement regulations between Malaysia and Singapore, particularly for high-risk transactions involving gold, cash, or digital payments. Bank Negara Malaysia (BNM) has previously warned of sukuk and investment scams exploiting Malaysian investors, with some syndicates operating from Singapore.

The central bank’s Financial Intelligence and Enforcement Department (FIED) continues to monitor suspicious transaction patterns linked to such networks.

For now, law enforcement cooperation remains the primary tool in combating these syndicates. As Wong noted, dismantling these networks requires real-time intelligence sharing—a challenge that extends beyond Malaysia and Singapore to include Thailand, Cambodia, and the Philippines, where similar operations have been documented. The case serves as a reminder of the persistent threat posed by organised crime groups exploiting cross-border mobility, with authorities urging both businesses and individuals to remain vigilant against fraudulent schemes.

Related: Royal Malaysia Police · Justin Wong · Singapore