Woman Arrested For A Series Of E-Commerce Scams

The Police have arrested a 30-years-old woman for her suspected involvement in a series of e-commerce scams.

In December 2019, the Police received several reports from victims who had purchased NTUC vouchers that were listed at discounted prices on Carousell. After payments were made by the victims via PayNow, the seller became uncontactable.

Through follow-up investigations, officers from Bedok Police Division established the identity of the woman and arrested her on 4 March 2020. She is believed to be involved in at least 4 cases of e-commerce scams where victims were cheated of a total of about $426.

The woman will be charged in court on 5 March 2020 with cheating under Section 420 of the Penal Code, Chapter 224, which is punishable with an imprisonment term that may extend to 10 years, and a fine.

The Police would like to advise members of the public to take the following precautions when making online purchases:

· Bear in mind that the party you are dealing with online is a stranger. Before performing a transaction on an online shopping site, find out how the site safeguards your interest or can help you resolve disputes;

· Insist on cash on delivery especially if responding to online classified advertisements;

· If advance payments are required, use shopping platforms that provide arrangements to only release your payment to the seller upon your receipt of the item;

· Be mindful that although sellers may provide a copy of an identification card or driver’s licence to gain your trust, it may not necessarily belong to the person communicating with you online; and

· Note that scammers may use a local bank account to enhance credibility; however, the owner of the account may not be the person communicating with you online.

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 0000or submit information online at www.police.gov.sg/iwitness.

PUBLIC AFFAIRS DEPARTMENT
SINGAPORE POLICE FORCE
04 March 2020 @ 9:47 PM