The Police have arrested a 24-year-old woman for her suspected involvement in a series of e-commerce scams.
Between April and June 2019, the Police received several reports from victims who were purportedly cheated by an online seller who listed electronic devices for sale at discounted prices on Carousell. The seller became uncontactable after the victims transferred deposit payments to her account.
Through follow-up investigations, officers from Woodlands Police Division established the identity of the woman and arrested her on 16 September 2019. Preliminary investigations revealed that she is believed to be involved in at least 11 similar cases of e-commerce scams where victims were cheated of a total of $1,815.
Investigations are ongoing. Anyone found guilty of cheating may be punished with an imprisonment term which may extend up to 10 years, and fined.
While online shopping is convenient, the Police would like to advise members of the public to take the following precautions:
- Find out how shopping platforms safeguard your interest or can help you resolve disputes, before performing a transaction through them. Note that the party you are dealing with online is a stranger;
- Insist on cash on delivery especially if responding to online classified advertisements;
- If advance payments are required, use shopping platforms that only release your payment to the seller upon your receipt of the item;
- Note that sellers may provide a copy of an identification card or driver’s licence to gain your trust, but it may not belong to the person communicating with you online; and
- Note that scammers may use a local bank account to enhance their credibility; however, the owner of the account may not be the person communicating with you online.
SINGAPORE POLICE FORCE
17 September 2019 @ 6:15 PM