The Police have arrested three men aged between 18 and 23 for their suspected involvement in a series of car rental and sexual service scams.
On 30 May 2019, the Police received a report of a case of sexual service scam. The male victim had responded to an online advertisement offering sexual services and made a $200 payment through bank transfer. He realised he was scammed when the scammers became uncontactable upon receiving the funds.
On 27 August 2019, the Police received several reports of car rental scams. The victims had responded to an online advertisement on Carousell to rent a car. The victims made deposits amounting between $200 and $400 through bank transfers. They realised they were scammed when the scammers became uncontactable upon receiving the funds.
Following investigations, officers from Bedok Police Division conducted established the identity of the men and arrested them on 18 and 19 September 2019.
Preliminary investigations revealed that the men have cheated at least seven victims. The 18-year-old man is believed to be the mastermind who collaborated with the 23-year-old and 19-year-old men by using their bank accounts to receive funds from the victims.
Police investigations into these cases of cheating are going. If convicted under Section 420 of the Penal Code, Chapter 224, the men will be punished with imprisonment for a term which may extend up to 10 years, and shall also be liable to a fine.
For more information on scams, members of the public can visit 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
23 September 2019 @ 9:15 AM