Six men in Singapore, aged between 26 and 39, were charged on August 13 for their alleged roles in running an unlicensed moneylending syndicate [1, 2, 3, 4]. The accused are Felix Chan Zhi Hao (27), Chew Zong Sheng (27), Sim Guo Liang (29), Toh Jia Meng (31), Kenny Ng Hock Heng (37), and Tan Kian Hock (39) [2, 3, 4].
The men were part of a group of 11 suspects, including three women, arrested during simultaneous raids on August 12 at multiple locations across Singapore [1, 2, 3, 4]. Police seized over S$410,000 in cash, 22 mobile phones, 14 SIM cards, 24 bank cards, two laptops, and cryptocurrencies valued at more than US$25,000 during the operation [1, 2, 3, 4]. Authorities also froze 29 bank accounts linked to the syndicate, with a combined balance exceeding S$106,000 [1, 2, 3, 4].
The syndicate is believed to be tied to at least 25,500 ScamShield reports and 1,509 police reports, with 883 specifically related to unlicensed moneylending activities [1, 2, 3, 4]. Charges against the men relate to offences under Section 19 of the Moneylenders Act 2008, including using multiple SIM cards to send mass SMS loan advertisements and using bank accounts for unlawful transactions [1, 2, 3, 4].
One suspect was found with more than 300 vaporisers suspected to contain etomidate, which is under separate investigation by the Health Sciences Authority [1].
Past activities attributed to the accused include Tan Kian Hock helping an unlicensed moneylender top up multiple SIM cards in 2024 [2, 3, 4]. Chew Zong Sheng allegedly transferred funds using nine bank cards from mid-2024 to February 2026 [2, 3, 4]. Toh Jia Meng reportedly sent SMS loan adverts to various Singapore mobile numbers from early 2025 until the raids in August 2026 [2, 3, 4]. Felix Chan Zhi Hao is said to have performed cash withdrawals and deposits using a bank card during 2026 [2, 3, 4].
Court proceedings for the six men have been adjourned to August 20, 2026 [2, 3, 4].
