Filipino woman jailed for role in Cambodia based scam syndicate targeting Singaporeans

A 35 year old Filipino woman, De Villar Rizalyn Panganiban, was sentenced to 25 months in jail on August 24 for her involvement in a Cambodia based scam syndicate that targeted victims in Singapore. The syndicate is believed to have caused losses of S$52.5 million across at least 528 reported scam cases. The group utilized government official impersonation scams, which the prosecution described as a sophisticated operation involving artificial intelligence rendering, uniforms, and a complex money laundering system using cryptocurrency and mule accounts.

During the trial, Panganiban claimed she had been lured to Cambodia by a friend with the promise of a job paying US$1,500. She testified that her passport was taken upon arrival. However, Principal District Judge Thian Yee Sze ruled that Panganiban had not been coerced and possessed a substantial amount of freedom, noting she had her phone and could have sought help. The judge also rejected defense arguments regarding Panganiban's ignorance of Singapore's location, stating that the evidence showed she knew Singapore was the specific location where the criminal activity was occurring.

While the prosecution acknowledged that Panganiban failed a test set by the syndicate and did not successfully scam any victims herself, she was convicted of being a member of the organized crime group and engaging in a criminal conspiracy. The court granted her a three month sentencing discount because she cooperated with authorities and provided information to identify other members. The syndicate is estimated to have had 78 members. Panganiban was among 12 people initially charged in September following a cross border operation by the Singapore Police Force and the Cambodian National Police.