A Malaysian electrician who helped a suspected Taiwan-linked scam syndicate set up large-scale scam call systems in Singapore has been sentenced to five years and three months in jail, along with a S$895 fine.
The 42-year-old man, identified as Chong Wei Hao, pleaded guilty to being part of a criminal conspiracy to cheat Singapore residents by installing and maintaining telecommunications equipment used in scam operations.
Court documents showed that Chong set up VoIP GSM Gateway devices inside a rented apartment in Chai Chee, which were used to generate massive volumes of scam calls. The system was capable of blasting more than 50,000 calls within 50 minutes and linking to around 18,000 phone numbers, according to CNA.
Authorities said victims lost more than S$1.6 million in under three weeks, with calls spoofed to appear local and featuring automated messages impersonating financial institutions and government officials. Police reports linked at least 131 phone numbers to the rental unit during the investigation period.
Investigations revealed Chong was recruited through Telegram, where he was offered a monthly salary equivalent to RM3,000 and received advance cryptocurrency payments. He was instructed to rent the unit, install equipment, and ensure technical setup for the scam operation, which he did across multiple trips between Malaysia and Singapore.
He also installed CCTV cameras inside the premises and took steps to avoid detection, including limiting the use of his own vehicle when entering Singapore. Authorities said the equipment was connected to an overseas SIM system that allowed the syndicate to make international scam calls appear locally generated.
Police raided the apartment on April 17, 2025, dismantling the operation. Chong was later arrested in Johor Bahru on June 28, 2025, before being handed over to Singaporean authorities.
The court heard that he fled Singapore after discovering the unit had been raided and the equipment removed. He was subsequently charged for facilitating a criminal conspiracy to cheat and could have faced up to 10 years’ imprisonment and a fine.
