Singapore – A job offer found on Facebook has ended with a prison sentence in Singapore. Tan Kian Hoa, a 28-year-old Malaysian, was sentenced to eight months’ jail on Tuesday, October 27, for illegally accessing Singapore bank accounts while working for a cross-border syndicate.
According to a news report, nearly S$4 million moved through 17 accounts controlled by the group. More than S$21,000 of that amount was linked to scam cases reported in Singapore.
How a Monthly Salary Offer Led to a Criminal Case
Tan came across the job on Facebook in September 2025. Through Telegram, he was promised a monthly salary of RM3,500, or about S$1,090.
He then reported for work at an online gambling operation in Iskandar Puteri, Johor Bahru. The syndicate handled more than gambling money. It also moved funds taken from scam victims.
Tan pleaded guilty to one charge of criminal conspiracy to commit unauthorised computer access under the Computer Misuse Act.
The Accounts Involved
The Singapore Police Force (SPF) received scam reports tied to the syndicate’s accounts. Key details from the case:
- 17 accounts were involved, all from MariBank or GXS
- Nearly S$4 million passed through them
- Over S$21,000 was connected to reported scams
- Individual victim losses ranged from S$150 to S$2,968
A Cross-Border Crackdown
The case came out of a wider push against transnational scams. In July, the SPF said it had completed a two-month operation with nine foreign law enforcement agencies.
Acting on information from MariBank, police disrupted the syndicate in March. Malaysian authorities later arrested Tan on July 20 and turned him over to Singapore police the next day.
Under the law, the offence carries a jail term of up to two years, a fine of up to S$5,000, or both.
What This Means for OFWs in Singapore
This case is a sharp reminder for kababayans working in Singapore. Offers that look like easy money, especially those shared on social media and handled only through Telegram or other chat apps, can quickly pull workers into serious crime.
Keep these points in mind:
- Check every job offer carefully, especially ones that skip formal hiring steps
- Never share or hand over control of your bank account, login details, or one-time passwords
- Report suspicious activity to your bank or the police right away
A steady paycheck should never come at the cost of your freedom. Before you say yes to any offer that seems too good to be true, take a moment to check who is really behind it.