The Police have arrested a 56-year-old woman for her suspected involvement in a series of rental scams.
Between March and April 2022, the Police received several reports from victims who had responded to listings on Carousell purporting to offer units for rental at different parts of the island. After viewing the unit in person, victims were asked to pay a deposit to the woman to secure the rental. The woman purportedly became uncontactable after the deposits were paid.
Through follow-up investigations and with the aid of images from Police cameras, officers from Woodlands Police Division established the identity of the woman and arrested her on 26 August 2022. Preliminary investigations revealed that she is believed to be involved in at least 20 similar cases of rental scams with losses amounting to more than $35,000.
The woman will be charged in court on 27 August 2022 with the offence of cheating under Section 420 of the Penal Code 1871. The offence carries an imprisonment term of up to 10 years and a fine.
The Police would also like to remind members of the public to adopt the following precautionary measures to avoid falling prey to rental scams:
- Ensure that the person you deal with is a rightful owner of the unit or an accredited real estate agent by verifying their details and contact number with the agency; and
- Ask to visit the unit and verify with the owner if the rental offer exists and is genuine.
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
26 August 2022 @ 7:30 PM