Singapore Police Arrest Six Hackers Linked to Global Cybercrime Syndicate

The Singapore Police Force (SPF) has reported the arrest of five Chinese nationals and one Singaporean citizen for their suspected participation in criminal cyber operations in the country.

The news comes after a group of roughly 160 law enforcement personnel executed a series of raids on September 9, 2024, simultaneously at multiple places.

The six males, aged between 32 and 42, are accused of being tied to a "global syndicate" that performs destructive cyber operations. Pursuant to the operation, electronic devices and cash were confiscated.

Among those seized were a 42-year-old Chinese national from Bidadari Park Drive, who was found to be in possession of a laptop that carried passwords to access web servers used by recognized hacker organizations. The identity of the threat actors were not divulged.

In addition, five computers, six mobile phones, cash totaling more than S$24,000 (USD$18,400), and bitcoin valued roughly USD$850,000 were taken from the person.

Three other Chinese nationals, arrested from Mount Sinai Avenue, are said to have been possessing laptops containing personal information related to foreign internet service providers, hacking tools, and "specialized software to control malware" such as PlugX, a remote access trojan widely used by Chinese state-sponsored groups.

The officials also recovered seven computers, 11 mobile phones, and cash worth more than S$54,600 (USD$41,900) from the three guys.

Another 38-year-old Chinese national was detained from Cairnhill Road on suspicions of "offering to purchase personally identifiable information that was believed to have been obtained through illegal means."

The sixth suspect, a 34-year-old Singaporean citizen living in Hougang Avenue, is alleged to have supported the others in their destructive acts.

The defendants have been charged with charges under the Computer Misuse Act 1993 for obtaining unauthorized access to computer material, storing personal information without consent, and retaining software that might be used to execute additional harmful activities.

The Singaporean citizen has also been charged with abetting the obtaining of illegal access to websites, an infraction that's punishable with a fine of up to S$5,000 (USD$3,830), or a prison sentence of up to two years, or both, for a first-time offender.

Channel News Asia has stated that a sixth Chinese citizen was also later detained and prosecuted on Wednesday for directing the Singapore guy to subscribe to a Singtel internet package.

"This is a significant operation as the individuals are suspected to be carrying out global malicious cyber operations from Singapore," the SPF stated. "We have zero tolerance of the use of Singapore to perform illicit operations, including unlawful cyber activity. We will deal harshly with culprits."