Singaporean Jailed for Role in S$6 Million Email Scam Targeting Japanese Firm

A Singaporean man has been sentenced to over two years in jail for facilitating an email impersonation scam that resulted in a Japanese company losing S$6 million (US$4.7 million).

Rian Rahim, 26, pleaded guilty to charges including possessing criminal proceeds due to neglect as a company director and failing to supervise his company, which dealt with the illicit funds. He was also disqualified from being a director for five years. The court heard that Rahim agreed to set up a company in his name in exchange for a substantial sum, believing he was helping to import toys from China.

Before May 2022, an individual known as Mr. Ho contacted Rahim via WhatsApp, proposing the venture. Rahim, believing Mr. Ho was from China, agreed to incorporate a company and handle its Singapore operations, expecting to receive millions. He provided Mr. Ho with his identity card details and Singpass login, even changing the phone number linked to his account to one provided by Mr. Ho, which allowed Mr. Ho to establish Neptun International, a company ostensibly in the wholesale toy business.

Between June and July 2022, the Japanese firm Mitsui E&S Power Systems was deceived into transferring approximately S$6 million to Neptun International's DBS bank account through four wire transfers. DBS Bank contacted Rahim around July 1, 2022, regarding a transaction in Neptun's account. Rahim, upon consulting Mr. Ho and his associates, was advised to inform the bank that the transaction involved payments to a supplier and to request communication via email. Later, Rahim received a letter from Mitsui requesting the return of funds, prompting further consultation with Mr. Ho.