SINGAPORE: In a disturbing turn of events, Sakinah Waheeda Abdul Manan, a 34-year-old woman, has been sentenced to 14 months in jail after pleading guilty to multiple charges related to her involvement as a money mule in a massive phishing scam estimated to have siphoned S$4.8 million (approximately US$3.5 million) from the United States.

The Singaporean was found guilty of possessing suspected criminal benefits, granting unauthorized access to a bank account, and failing to fulfill her duties as a company director. This case highlights the alarming trend of individuals being drawn into complex financial crimes, often under the guise of legitimate business opportunities.

The saga began when Sakinah, who had recently been released from prison, met a man named "Alan" on Telegram. Desperate for money, she was lured into a scheme where she could allegedly earn S$60,000 a year by turning over her SingPass account to register companies.

Alan promised that Sakinah would merely serve as a figurehead director while the real operations would be managed by foreign directors, requiring little to no effort on her part. Despite her initial skepticism—given the dubious nature of the proposal—Sakinah eventually agreed.

Under Alan's manipulation, two companies, Froxify and Frox Designz, were registered using Sakinah's credentials.

In July 2021, a CIMB bank account was opened in Froxify's name, with Sakinah compelled to partake in an in-person interview by providing false information about the company's business operations. Any required documentation was handled by Alan, leaving Sakinah oblivious to the true nature of their activities.

The case escalated dramatically on October 5, 2021, when the Singapore Police's Commercial Affairs Department was alerted by US authorities regarding suspicious transactions flowing from a compromised US company, Home Legend LLC.

The fallout revealed that over US$3.5 million had been unlawfully transferred from the victim’s account in just three days of September 2021, ultimately finding its way into Froxify’s CIMB account. The company appeared to be a conduit for illicit funds, which were quickly dissipated shortly after being received. By the time police intervened, only around S$8,600 remained in Froxify’s account.

As the director of Froxify between July and November 2021, Sakinah relinquished all control to Alan and failed to alert authorities, showing a shocking disregard for her responsibilities.

Notably, she was also recruited to open a local bank account with UOB, where an incredible S$8,000 was quickly transferred from a victim of a cryptocurrency scam, prompting further investigations.

This alarming case sheds light on the growing issue of money mules and the devastating impact of phishing scams, which continue to exploit vulnerable individuals.

With a criminal history that includes drug offenses and theft, it remains uncertain whether Sakinah truly realized the consequences of her actions or if she was merely a pawn in a much larger, organized scheme.

As authorities ramp up efforts to combat financial crimes, this case serves as a stark reminder of the risks involved in online engagements and the importance of due diligence.

Will this serve as a wake-up call for others potentially entangled in similar schemes? Only time will tell.