SINGAPORE – The police are investigating 223 people for their suspected involvement in over 1,100 cases of scam in which victims lost more than $6.58m.

The 147 men and 76 women, aged between 16 and 80, are suspected of being scammers or money mules, said the police on Nov 29.

The suspects were nabbed during a two-week operation from Nov 15 to Nov 28.

Their scams were related to e-commerce, jobs, friend impersonation, investment, internet love, and government official impersonation.

The suspects are being investigated for cheating, money laundering or providing payment services without a licence, said the police.

If found guilty of one or several of these crimes, a person may be jailed for up to 10 years, face a fine of up to $500,000, or both.

The police advise members of the public to remain cautious against such scams, and reject requests by others to use their bank account or mobile lines, to avoid being held accountable if they are being used for crimes.

To find out more about scams in Singapore, the public can visit www.scamshield.gov.sg or call the ScamShield helpline at 1799.

Those with information about such crimes can submit it via the police hotline at 1800-255-0000 or www.police.gov.sg/i-witness.