The Police have arrested an 18-year-old teenager for his suspected involvement in a series of e-commerce scams and sexual services scams.
Between 26 December 2020 and 19 January 2021, the Police received several reports from victims who were purportedly cheated by an online seller who was selling fishing reels. After payments were made by the victims via PayNow, the seller allegedly failed to deliver the items and became uncontactable.
On 27 December 2020, the Police also received several reports from victims who were purportedly cheated by a ‘woman’ who had asked them to make an advance payment into a bank account in exchange for sexual services. After the payment was made, the ‘woman’ allegedly become uncontactable.
Through investigations, officers from Ang Mo Kio Police Division established the identity of the teenager who is suspected to be involved in the cases and arrested him on 19 January 2021. The teenager is allegedly involved in at least 11 cases of e-commerce scams and the losses to these victims amounted to a total of $2100. He is also alleged to have masqueraded as a ‘woman’ on online platform, Locanto, to cheat victims of about $250.
The teenager will be charged in court on 21 January 2021. The offence of cheating under Section 420 of the Penal Code carries a jail term of up to ten years and a fine.
The Police take a serious view of persons who may be involved in scams and frauds, and perpetrators will be dealt with, in accordance with the law.
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
20 January 2021 @ 3:20 PM