Singapore arrests 2 teens, 11 others over links to Android banking-related malware scams
- Victims responded to social media ads and were later instructed by the scammers to download a malicious Android Package Kit from non-official app stores
- Cases of malware being used to compromise Android mobile devices have been on the rise since January, police said
Two teenagers were among 13 people arrested for their suspected involvement in banking-related malware scams targeting Android users.
The 15-year-old individuals were arrested alongside seven men and four women aged 17 to 25, said the police in a news release on Saturday.
All of them were arrested during an anti-scam enforcement operation conducted by the police between August 14 and August 25.
Two other women, aged 29 and 39, and another 15-year-old teenager are assisting with investigations.
Preliminary police investigations revealed that the 13 suspects had allegedly facilitated the scam cases by relinquishing their bank accounts. Some of them also relinquished their internet banking credentials or disclosed their Singpass credentials for monetary gain.
Cases of malware being used to compromise Android mobile devices have been on the rise since January, police said.