Police have arrested a 33-year-old man for his suspected involvement in a series of online loan and vehicle rental scams.
Since January 2015, Police have received several reports regarding victims being asked to transfer deposits as part of a payment plan to secure prospective loans online. After obtaining the deposits, the suspect is believed to have become elusive and did not extend any loans to victims. The suspect subsequently posed as an advertiser offering vehicle rental services online. When prospective victims agreed to the rentals, they were told to transfer deposits online. Upon receiving the deposits, the suspect is also believed to have become elusive and did not deliver any vehicle.
Upon receiving these reports, officers from the Clementi Division conducted extensive ground enquiries and investigations to establish the identity of the suspect. The officers arrested him at Fajar Road following an operation conducted on 21 August 2015. Preliminary investigations revealed that he is believed to be involved in at least nine other similar cases, where the victims have lost more than $3,000.
The suspect will be charged in Court on 22 August 2015 for the offence of Cheating under Section 420 of the Penal Code, Chapter 224. If convicted, he may be jailed for a term of not extending more than 10 years for each offence.
Members of public are advised to be aware of these scams and adopt the following measures:
- Never make deposits or advanced payments into a bank account unknown to you, in the hope of getting a loan. Banks and licensed credit facilities would never require you to make any advanced payment in order to extend a loan.
- Only rent vehicles from reputable car rental companies;
- Check with the Accounting and Corporate Regulatory Authority to confirm that the car rental company is a registered business;
- Insist on documentation of the rental details, such as payment details and particulars of the parties involved. Keep a copy of the documentation for your reference; and
- Ask to see the vehicle and its identification document to verify its ownership.
SINGAPORE POLICE FORCE
21 August 2015 @ 5:55 PM