Francis Tan Thuan Heng, a 32-year-old Singaporean, was arrested in Perlis, Malaysia on March 10, 2026, for alleged involvement with a Cambodia-based scam syndicate [1, 2]. The syndicate defrauded victims in Singapore through government official impersonation scams [1, 2]. Authorities have linked the group to at least 535 reported scam cases, causing estimated losses of S$53 million (US$41 million) [1, 2].
The syndicate operated from a scam compound in Phnom Penh, Cambodia, which was raided by the Singapore Police Force (SPF) and Cambodian National Police on September 9, 2025 [1, 2]. Following the raid, the SPF issued prohibition of disposal orders and seized assets tied to the criminal group as investigations continued [1, 2].
Francis Tan was handed over to Singapore Police Force by Malaysian authorities on June 5, 2026. He is scheduled to be charged in court on June 6 for facilitating a serious offence to support the organised crime group [1, 2]. The offence carries a jail term of up to five years and/or a fine of up to S$100,000 [1, 2].
Tan's arrest brings the total number of arrested suspects to six out of an initial 34 wanted by police, comprising 27 Singaporeans and 7 Malaysians [2]. Currently, 30 suspects remain at large: 24 Singaporeans and six Malaysians [1, 2]. Two other Singaporean men, Jonathan Boneta (27) and Lee Ding Hao (33), believed to be part of the syndicate, remain at large with Interpol red notices issued for their arrest on March 25, 2026 [1, 2].
The alleged masterminds of the gang are thought to be two Singaporean brothers and their cousin [2]. The Singapore Police Force said they will "continue to work closely with its foreign law enforcement partners and spare no effort to apprehend those committing scams against victims in Singapore" [2].
