2 men arrested for suspected links to Singaporean-led, Cambodia-based scam ring; 32 still at large

[SINGAPORE] Two Singaporean men who were among 34 people on the run for their suspected links to a scam ring operating in Cambodia have been arrested by the Singapore Police Force (SPF).

Wayne Soh You Chen, 27, and Brian Sie Eng Fa, 32, were nabbed by foreign police respectively in Phnom Penh, Cambodia, and Khon Kaen, Thailand, said the police in a statement on Sunday (Nov 16).

Both men were deported to Singapore and arrested upon arrival on Nov 16.

They are believed to be members of an organised group based in the Cambodian capital Phnom Penh and said to be involved in government official impersonation scams targeting Singapore victims, said the police.

The group, operating from a scam compound in Phnom Penh, is believed to be responsible for at least 438 reported impersonation scam cases involving losses of at least S$41 million.

The two are the first among the 34 to be arrested, with 25 other Singaporeans and seven Malaysians remaining at large.

The syndicate was  allegedly run by Singaporean fugitive Ng Wei Liang, who is said to have recruited his older brother, cousin and girlfriend into the scheme.

While Ng remains on the run, the other three were charged in September under the Organised Crime Act.

The group’s activities were disrupted during a joint operation by the SPF and Cambodian National Police (CNP) on Sept 9, 2025.

The police said the arrests follow collaboration and intelligence sharing between the Singaporean and Cambodian police, as well as the Royal Thai Police.

Malaysian police previously said they have begun efforts to trace and arrest the seven Malaysian suspects.

As part of ongoing investigations, the SPF had earlier issued prohibition of disposal orders and seized assets linked to the group.

Soh and Sie are slated to be charged in court on Nov 17 with facilitating the commission of a serious offence and aiding the illegal purpose of a locally linked criminal group under the Organised Crime Act 2015.

They each face up to a five-year prison term, a fine of up to $100,000 or both. THE STRAITS TIMES