A Filipino woman has been sentenced to 25 months in jail for her role in a scam syndicate operating out of Cambodia, which targeted victims in Singapore. De Villar Rizalyn Panganiban, 35, was found guilty of being part of a conspiracy to cheat people in Singapore and was handed the prison term by a court on Monday. The judge in the case determined that the prosecution had proven the charges against Panganiban, and that she had not been coerced or forced into committing the acts she did.
Panganiban had claimed that she had travelled to Cambodia for a job, but later discovered that it was a scam compound. She was given a script to follow at a call centre, where she was instructed to target Singaporean victims. Panganiban was among 12 people charged in connection with the scam syndicate, which was disrupted by the Singapore Police Force and the Cambodian National Police in a cross-border operation last year.
Her case was the first to go to trial, and several other Singaporeans and Malaysians are also facing charges in connection with the scheme. According to reports, Panganiban had been recruited for the job with a promised salary of US$1,500, and had travelled to Cambodia through Malaysia in late March 2025. Upon arrival, her passport was taken from her, and she was driven to a call centre where she was given a script to follow.
Panganiban's lawyers had argued that she was unaware of the true nature of the job and had limited knowledge of Singapore, believing it to be located in China. However, prosecutors pointed to evidence that suggested Panganiban was aware of the target area, including references to Singapore addresses, currency, and institutions such as the Monetary Authority of Singapore. The judge ultimately found that Panganiban had a substantial amount of freedom while in Cambodia and could have left the group's premises or sought help if she had chosen to do so.
The case highlights the ongoing issue of scam syndicates operating in the region, and the need for continued cooperation between law enforcement agencies to disrupt and prosecute these groups. Panganiban's sentencing serves as a warning to those involved in such schemes, and demonstrates the commitment of authorities to protecting victims and bringing perpetrators to justice. In addition to Panganiban's sentencing, several other individuals are still facing charges in connection with the scam syndicate.
The outcome of these cases will be closely watched, as they may provide further insight into the operations of these groups and the measures being taken to combat them.
