In a stunning turn of events, UOB staff acted heroically to thwart a potentially devastating scam targeting a 62-year-old woman, managing to prevent a staggering loss of $50,000.

The Arrest That Stopped a Scam in Its Tracks

A 20-year-old Malaysian man was taken into custody after he attempted to withdraw cash related to the scam at a UOB branch on August 27. Thanks to the vigilance of bank employees, who swiftly raised the alarm, police were called in, and officers from the Anti-Scam Command (ASCom) apprehended him within an hour.

A Clever Ruse: How the Scam Worked

The scam unfolded as the elderly victim was duped into believing she was implicated in a criminal investigation. Under terrifying pressure, she was tricked into handing over her cheque book filled with pre-signed blank pages. Scammers instructed her to validate any transaction requests made by the bank.

Vigilance Saves the Day

Thanks to UOB's quick response, a subsequent attempted encashment that could have resulted in a further $50,000 loss was swiftly stopped. A cheque book was seized as evidence, marking a significant win in the battle against financial fraud.

The Bigger Picture: Scam Operations Exposed

Initial investigations revealed that the young suspect had previously facilitated cheque encashments totaling around $200,000 and had likely traveled to Singapore earlier in August to assist the scam syndicate. He is believed to have played a key role in helping the criminals retain the profits from their illicit activities.

Justice on the Horizon

The arrested individual is set to face serious charges on August 29, including conspiracy to help another retain benefits from criminal conduct under the stringent Corruption, Drug Trafficking and Other Serious Crimes Act. If convicted, he could face a hefty prison sentence of up to 10 years, hefty fines, or both.

A Warning to the Public!

Authorities are reminding individuals that legitimate government officials will never request money transfers or banking details over the phone. They urge anyone suspecting fraudulent activity to reach out to the police immediately by calling 1800-255-0000 or dialing 999 for emergencies.