Following a three-day enforcement operation conducted from 25 to 27 February 2019 by officers from Ang Mo Kio Police Division, 9 men and 4 women, aged between 17 and 66, are currently assisting in investigations for their suspected involvement in various scams and commercial crime-related offences. The suspects are believed to be involved in 37 cases where victims have lost a total of $26,060. These cases include e-commerce, loan scams and other cheating cases.
The suspects are either being investigated for the offences of cheating or for money laundering. Anyone convicted for cheating under section 420 of the Penal Code, may be punished with imprisonment for up to 10 years and a fine. Anyone found guilty of money laundering under the Corruption, Drug Trafficking and Other Serious Crimes (Confiscation of Benefits) Act, may be punished with an imprisonment for up to 10 years and/or a fine of up to S$500,000.
Members of the public are advised to adopt the following measures to avoid falling victim to online purchase scams:
- Don’t be impulsive – Be wary of online advertisements of items at cheap prices that sound too good to be true! Do not buy on impulse. Read the reviews of the seller before committing to a purchase.
- Don’t believe – Scammers may use a local bank account or provide a copy of a NRIC/driver’s licence to make you believe that they are genuine sellers. Do not fall for it!
- Don’t give – As you are dealing with strangers, avoid making payments or deposits in advance. Try to use shopping platforms/arrangements that release your payment to the seller only upon receipt of the item. Alternatively, arrange to meet the seller and pay only on delivery.
To avoid being an accomplice to crimes, members of the public should always reject requests by others to use your bank account or mobile lines as you will be held accountable if these accounts are linked to illegal transactions.
For more information on scams, members of the public can visit www.scamalert.sg or call the Anti-Scam Hotline at 1800-722-6688. Anyone with information on such scams may call the Police hotline at 1800-255 0000 or submit information online at www.police.gov.sg/iwitness.
SINGAPORE POLICE FORCE
28 February 2019 @ 2:35 PM