A large scale scam call operation in Singapore has led to the sentencing of a Malaysian electrician who played a key role in setting up devices used to broadcast thousands of fraudulent calls within a short time frame. The case revealed how syndicates are leveraging telecommunication technologies to mask call origins and target victims at scale, resulting in financial losses exceeding S$1.6 million in less than three weeks. Authorities highlighted the sophistication of the setup, which enabled scammers to make calls appear as though they were originating locally.
The individual, identified as Chong Wei Hao, 42, was sentenced to five years and three months in jail and fined S$895 after pleading guilty to participating in a criminal conspiracy. Investigations showed that Chong was recruited through Telegram while searching for freelance work. He was offered a monthly payment and an advance in cryptocurrency in exchange for renting a property in Singapore and carrying out technical installations. Acting on instructions from a contact known as “NASA,” Chong rented a unit in Chai Chee under false pretenses, ensuring it was equipped with high speed broadband and additional security features such as modified locks and restricted visibility from neighboring units. He installed nine Voice over Internet Protocol Global System for Mobile communications Gateway devices across two rooms, along with surveillance cameras to monitor the premises.
The devices were part of a broader syndicated operation involving masterminds believed to be based in Taiwan, with supporting infrastructure such as a SIM pool reportedly located in Malaysia. This system allowed incoming calls initiated outside Singapore to be routed through multiple SIM cards and transmitted via local cellular networks, effectively disguising the true origin of the calls. Using this setup, the devices transmitted more than 50,000 call sessions within a 50 minute period, reaching around 18,000 phone numbers. Many of these calls contained automated voice messages impersonating government agencies or financial institutions in an attempt to deceive recipients.
Authorities linked 131 phone numbers to the operation site, with dozens appearing in police reports related to scam activity. Among these cases, at least three involved significant financial losses totaling S$1.6 million through impersonation scams. Victims were misled into believing they were dealing with officials from institutions such as the Monetary Authority of Singapore. The operation demonstrated a high level of coordination, with the ability to switch between networks and optimize call routing for efficiency and cost, making it more resistant to detection or blocking measures.
The scheme was uncovered after police from the Commercial Affairs Department raided the rented unit in April 2025, discovering the installed devices, networking equipment, and monitoring systems. Forensic analysis confirmed the scale of the call activity and its connection to reported scams. Chong, who had prior experience installing similar systems in Malaysia, was later sacked in Johor Bahru and handed over to Singapore authorities. Court proceedings revealed that he was aware of the illegal purpose of the devices and participated for financial gain. The court noted the extensive reach and organized nature of the operation, emphasizing the serious harm caused to victims and the challenges posed by cross border cybercrime networks.
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