Cross border mule network powering illegal gambling
A Malaysian man at the center of a cross border bank account harvesting scheme has admitted his role in supplying Singapore accounts to illegal online gambling operators. In court, 34-year-old Tan Kang Yung pleaded guilty to cheating and Computer Misuse Act charges after investigators linked him to a Sarawak group that recruited money mules, opened dozens of Singapore accounts, and handed over full access to criminal controllers. Over six months, at least 70 accounts were opened across seven banks, with more than S$837,000 passing through them. Almost S$43,000 of that flow was tied to reported scam cases in Singapore. Tan was arrested in Johor Bahru in August 2024, extradited, and is the first suspect from the group to plead guilty. Prosecutors are seeking a six-year jail term and a fine of about S$2,000. The court adjourned the case for mitigation and sentencing.
The case traces back to Tan’s debts to loan sharks in Sarawak. Introduced to a syndicate member known as Ah Siang, he was told his debt could be offset if he opened accounts in Singapore. The group arranged for a Singapore work permit so he could clear onboarding checks at different banks. After completing his own openings, Tan was promoted to a handler’s role, escorting and guiding 12 other Malaysians to Singapore and coaching them through account openings between May and August 2024. He helped collect bank cards and internet banking credentials for the syndicate. Over time, the group controlled accounts at multiple banks, which were then used to receive bets, move funds, and pay out winnings tied to illegal gambling sites. Tan earned RM6,500 for his involvement.
How the syndicate worked
At the core of the operation was a simple playbook. Recruit people in financial trouble, promise them a quick fee, arrange a path to open bank accounts in Singapore, then seize full control of those accounts. Recruits acted as money mules, a term for people who allow criminals to use their bank accounts or identities to move illicit funds. Once accounts were set up, mules handed over bank cards, tokens, and login details so operators could run transactions without the account holder present. These accounts became receiving points and transit nodes for illegal online betting proceeds and other funds.
Exploiting work permit approvals
The group leaned on Singapore’s work authorization process to get past bank checks. In Tan’s case, a syndicate contact arranged for a work permit so he could open multiple accounts. When he became a handler, he guided other mules to do the same using in principle approvals or work permit cards. Some banks will open accounts for foreign workers who show a valid work pass or the official approval letter, along with identity documents. The recruits surrendered everything after the accounts were opened. Investigators said the syndicate harvested internet banking credentials, allowing remote control of balances and transactions. Such activity can lead to charges under the Computer Misuse Act if access is obtained or used without authorization or for a criminal purpose.
The money trail and the draw for Singapore accounts
More than S$837,000 moved through the network within a short window of about half a year, according to the case records. The accounts sat across seven Singapore banks. They were used to accept deposits, make transfers, and pay out winnings to gamblers on unlicensed platforms. Criminal groups often prefer accounts in Singapore because the banking system is efficient, widely trusted, and highly connected across the region. They may also believe smaller or frequent transactions can pass as routine activity unless banks recognize links between account holders and shared controllers. When mules surrender internet access and card control, the operators can move funds within minutes.
Links to scams and fraud
Investigators found that around S$43,000 flowing through the network overlapped with reported scam cases. That discovery reflects a trend that police in many countries have identified. Accounts recruited for gambling are sometimes reused to cash out or move money from phishing, fake job recruitment, and investment frauds. Victims often face a narrow window to freeze transfers. Banks typically file suspicious transaction reports and may block or close accounts. When funds pass through many accounts quickly, tracing and recovery becomes harder.
Police cooperation across borders
The enforcement timeline underscores cross border cooperation. Malaysian police arrested Tan and several others in Johor Bahru in August 2024 for harvesting Singapore internet banking credentials for online gambling operators. Singapore’s Commercial Affairs Department was alerted, and Tan was extradited. After charging, he pleaded guilty to multiple offences and now awaits sentencing. The case came together through information sharing and coordinated action that is vital in cases where suspects, accounts, and operators sit in different jurisdictions.
A wider regional crackdown
Governments across Southeast Asia have signaled a tougher approach on illegal gambling and money laundering. Police in Hong Kong recently dismantled a large network tied to a triad group, while Singapore has pressed ahead with complex financial crime probes. One major case in 2023 exposed a money laundering network with billions in assets seized, prompting fresh scrutiny of bank onboarding and monitoring. Regional policy forums under ASEAN aim to strengthen cooperation on transnational crime, but differences in laws and resources pose challenges. Even so, coordinated arrests, extraditions, and asset freezes are becoming more common as agencies target the flows that keep illegal gambling services alive.
Illegal online gambling, by the numbers
Unlicensed operators often run websites or chat-based betting services that accept wagers on lotteries, sports, and cards. They rely on agents or account networks to collect deposits, settle payouts, and launder proceeds. The Singapore courts have handled several such cases. In one, a local syndicate leader admitted to running remote betting services for years and earning about S$1.28 million in profits by recruiting agents and punters. That case showed how illegal outfits build downlines, assign accounts, and use collectors to keep money moving. Tan’s case shows another layer, a cross border supply chain that delivers bank accounts and digital access to those operators.
Why mules and handlers are key
Mules and handlers sit at the entry point of the flow. Without them, operators struggle to open and control bank accounts that can pass basic checks. Groups target people with debt or those seeking fast cash because they are more likely to accept risk. The legal fallout can be severe. Mules have faced long jail terms, permanent loss of banking access, and civil claims from victims whose money passed through their accounts. Banks may close accounts and flag customers across the industry. Prevention is the first line of defense. Public education, debt counseling, and swift reporting all help reduce the pool of recruits.
- Never hand over bank cards, tokens, or internet banking credentials to anyone.
- Do not open accounts for another person or a supposed employer you have never met.
- If you are in debt, seek legal support and official counseling rather than quick fixes.
- Verify work offers and work permits with the employer and with the Ministry of Manpower.
- Report suspicious job ads that ask you to lend your account or to move money.
What happens next in court
With Tan’s guilty plea, sentencing will follow after mitigation. Prosecutors have asked the court to impose six years in jail and a fine of about S$2,000. Investigations into other members of the group are ongoing. In parallel, banks and regulators are likely to revisit controls around account openings tied to work permits, including tighter checks on employer records and more robust verification of in principle approvals. Technology that builds a single view of linked customers and entities can help spot coordinated activity across multiple banks. For individuals and businesses, the takeaway is simple. Keep strict control of your accounts and credentials, use verified platforms, and report suspicious requests immediately.
Key Points
- Tan Kang Yung admitted to helping a Sarawak group harvest Singapore bank accounts for illegal online gambling.
- The network opened 70 accounts across seven banks in six months, moving more than S$837,000.
- Nearly S$43,000 flowing through the accounts was tied to reported scam cases in Singapore.
- The syndicate exploited work permit approvals and collected internet banking credentials from recruits.
- Tan was arrested in Johor Bahru in August 2024, extradited, and is the first from the group to plead guilty.
- Prosecutors seek six years in jail and a fine of about S$2,000, with sentencing to follow mitigation.
