A 27-year-old Singaporean has been sentenced to more than 32 years in jail for aiding a Taiwanese scam syndicate.
A Singaporean woman, 27, has been sentenced to 32 years and six months in prison by Taiwanese courts for her role as a money mule in an online scam syndicate. The woman, identified as Kek Hui Ting, was convicted of 28 counts of fraud and money laundering across Yunlin and Changhua counties.
From Telegram Job Offer to Crime Ring
Court documents revealed that Kek entered Taiwan on February 21, 2025, on a tourist visa. Before her trip, she had joined a Telegram group offering quick cash jobs, where she was promised S$300 (NT$7,200) per day. Unbeknownst to her, the offer was tied to a large-scale scam operation that targeted victims through fake social media advertisements on platforms like Facebook and Instagram.
The syndicate, known as “Dong Dong Dong Dong Run No. 1,” specialized in fake scooter sales, bogus property rentals, and fabricated lucky draws. Victims were tricked into transferring funds to accounts controlled by the group — money that Kek later helped withdraw.
50 ATM Withdrawals in Four Days
Between March 1 and 4, Kek was ferried to over 20 convenience store ATMs across Yunlin, Taixi, Changhua, and Beidou. Acting on the syndicate’s instructions, she made 50 withdrawals amounting to NT$1.7 million (S$71,578). She then deposited the cash at designated drop-off points for collection by other members of the group.
The scam network had already ensnared several Taiwanese victims — one losing as much as NT$159,000 (S$6,700) to a fake rental listing.
Arrested While Fleeing Taiwan
Kek’s activities drew attention when Taiwanese police noticed a foreign woman repeatedly withdrawing large sums of cash. On March 7, authorities placed her on a travel restriction list. The following day, she was arrested at the airport as she attempted to leave Taiwan. Surveillance footage later released by the Yunlin prosecutor’s office showed her withdrawing cash while concealing her face under a hoodie and mask.
Convicted in Two Counties
The Yunlin District Court found Kek guilty of 25 counts of fraud, sentencing her to 31 years and two months in prison. Separately, the Changhua Court sentenced her to one year and six months’ jail and fined NT$30,000 (S$1,270) for three additional charges. Both courts concluded that she knowingly participated in a criminal network with intent to defraud.
Kek claimed during her trial that she had never received payment, as the syndicate promised to pay her only after she returned to Singapore. Despite her cooperation with investigators, the courts maintained that her role had caused significant financial harm.
Deportation Ordered After Sentence
Following her imprisonment, the courts ordered that Kek be deported after serving her sentence. Her case has drawn widespread attention in both Taiwan and Singapore, underscoring the growing risks of cross-border recruitment scams targeting young job seekers through messaging platforms.
Kek Hui Ting’s conviction is a stark warning to Singaporeans and Southeast Asians enticed by “easy-money” jobs online. Her case highlights how digital job scams can swiftly lead to severe criminal consequences abroad. As scam syndicates increasingly exploit social media and encrypted apps, regional cooperation between Taiwan and Singapore will be crucial to prevent others from falling into the same trap.
Sources: AsiaOne (2025) , Mothership (2025)
Keywords: Singaporean Woman, Taiwan, Scam, Fraud, Yunlin County, Changhua County
