Lam Yong Yan Deported From Vietnam, Arrested at Changi Over Phnom Penh Scam Syndicate Linked to S$53 Million in Losses

Singapore police arrested Lam Yong Yan, 27, at Changi Airport on 6 November after Vietnam deported him. He's one of 36 people wanted over a Phnom Penh-based syndicate that ran government official impersonation scams against Singaporeans, linked to at least 528 scam cases involving losses of about S$53 million, The Straits Times reports. He was due in court on Saturday, 7 November.

Vietnam's part

Vietnam's Ministry of Public Security had held Lam for immigration offences since 19 November 2025, AsiaOne reports, and deported him once its own investigation ended. "Those who prey on victims in Singapore should know that crossing borders does not put them beyond the reach of the law," said Julius Lim, director of the Criminal Investigation Department.

The charge

Lam is to be charged with facilitating a serious offence for a locally linked organised criminal group. A conviction carries up to five years' jail, a fine of up to S$100,000, or both.

In July 2021 he became director of one of the events companies of Ng Wei Liang, one of the three alleged masterminds, when Ng stepped down from the role. Ng is still at large; the other two were arrested and charged in October 2025.

How the syndicate worked

Callers first posed as bank staff, then passed victims to a second scammer who claimed to be "either a Police officer or an official from the Monetary Authority of Singapore", the Singapore Police Force said when it disrupted the group. Victims were told their accounts were tied to a criminal investigation and pushed to move money into accounts the syndicate controlled. Singapore and Cambodian police raided the operation on 9 September 2025 and seized more than S$2.5 million from bank accounts and crypto wallets.

Who is still wanted

With Lam, six Singaporeans and one Malaysian have been arrested; 23 Singaporeans and six Malaysians remain at large. Police ask anyone with information on them to call 1800-255-0000, or +65 6255 0000 from overseas, or to submit it through the police i-Witness form.