Malaysian charged in Singapore over Cambodia-based scam syndicate

Bernard Goh faces up to five years in jail, a S$100,000 fine, or both.

Bernard Goh was charged in a Singapore court on Tuesday over his alleged role in a Cambodia-based scam syndicate targeting victims in the republic. (Reuters pic)

KUALA LUMPUR:

 A Malaysian man alleged to have helped run a Cambodia-based scam syndicate targeting victims in Singapore was charged in a court in the republic on Tuesday.

Bernard Goh, 24, was one of 34 suspects, including 27 Singaporeans and seven Malaysians, whom Singapore police identified last month as members of an organised crime group operating from a scam compound in Phnom Penh, Cambodia.

Goh, who was handed over to the Singapore police by their Malaysian counterparts a day earlier, was charged with overseeing the operations of a call centre that targeted and cheated victims in Singapore, local media reported.

He faces a prison term of up to five years, a fine of up to S$100,000, or both.

Goh had previously been detained in Phnom Penh by Cambodian police before being deported to Malaysia, according to The Straits Times (ST).

On Monday, two Singaporean suspects were charged in court. The other 31 suspects remain at large, ST reported.

The syndicate is believed to be responsible for at least 438 cases involving losses of at least S$41 million, police said on Oct 29. - FMT