The police are investigating a 23-year-old woman for her suspected involvement in a series of cheating cases.
Between 29 June 2020 and 16 July 2020, the police received multiple reports from victims who were purportedly cheated by an online seller who was selling anime-related merchandise on Carousell. The victims did not receive the items after payments were made via bank transfer. The seller became uncontactable thereafter.
Through follow-up investigations, officers from Jurong Police Division established the identity of the woman and arrested her on 21 July 2020. Preliminary investigations revealed that the woman is believed to be involved in other similar cases. Police investigations are ongoing. The offence of cheating, punishable under Section 420 of the Penal Code, carries a jail term of up 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 0000 or submit information online at www.police.gov.sg/iwitness.
SINGAPORE POLICE FORCE
22 July 2020 @ 8:30 PM