The Police would like to remind members of the public to be discerning when shopping online, especially when purchasing expensive goods or services that are attractively priced. Since June 2023, at least 211 victims have fallen prey to such scams, with losses amounting to at least $128,000. The Police have received reports lodged against allegedly fraudulent scams on social media platforms. Please refer to Annex A for a list of monikers behind such scams. Investigations are ongoing into the criminals behind the e-commerce scam and their money mules.
Scammers pretending to be “sellers” would entice victims by posting attractive deals on platforms such as Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, Xiao Hong Shu and Telegram. Victims who come across the deals would then contact the scammers directly using the platform’s in-app messenger. After confirming the price and order details, victims would be asked to make payment to the seller’s bank account via PayNow. Victims would only realise that they had been scammed when they did not receive the goods and/or the “seller” become uncontactable.
The Police would like to advise members of the public to adopt the following precautionary measures:
- ADD – Add the ScamShield App and set security features (e.g., enable two-factor (2FA) or multifactor authentication for banks, social media, Singpass accounts; set transaction limits on internet banking transactions, including PayNow)
- CHECK – Check for scam signs with official sources (e.g., visit www.scamalert.sg or call the Anti-Scam Hotline at 1800-722-6688). If the price is too good to be true, it probably is. Purchase only from authorised sellers or reputable sources and be wary of purported time-sensitive deals due to limited stocks available. Avoid making advance payments or direct bank transfers to the seller and whenever possible, use “escrow” payment options that protect buyers by releasing payment to the seller only upon delivery. Always verify the seller’s profile through customer reviews and ratings, if any.
- TELL – Tell authorities, family, and friends about this scam so they do not fall for it. Report the fraudulent pages and/or monikers to the platforms!
If you have information relating to such crimes or if you are in doubt, please call the Police Hotline at 1800-255-0000, or submit it online at www.police.gov.sg/iwitness. All information will be kept strictly confidential. If you require urgent Police assistance, please dial ‘999’.
For more information on scams, members of the public can visit www.scamalert.sg or call the Anti-Scam Helpline at 1800-722-6688. Fighting scams is a community effort. Together, we can ACT Against Scams and prevent our loved ones from becoming the next victim!
Annex A
|
PLATFORM |
MONIKER |
|
|
2 LCB Tour Lu Xing She |
|
|
2 LCB Tour Travel Agency |
|
|
Happy Travel |
|
|
Big fun Travel Information |
|
|
BIG FUN TRAVEL INFORMATION |
|
|
Seungheung Concert Tourist Information Cente |
|
|
2LCB TOUR TRAVEL AGENCY |
|
|
LOOKING FOR TRENDY FRONT |
|
|
K2 TRENDY FRONT |
|
|
LCB Tour Travel Agency |
|
|
K2 Trendy Front |
|
|
K2 Voyage |
|
|
Singapore Corgi & Dog Lovers Community |
|
|
Star Travel Agency |
|
|
Xing Jia Po Wai Mai Song Can Fu Wu |
|
|
TravelChoice |
|
|
Singapore baby supermarket |
|
|
Singapore Baby Supermarket |
|
|
LCB travel together |
|
|
Star tourism |
|
|
Voyage trend holiday travel |
|
|
VOYAGE TREND HOLIDAY TRAVEL |
|
|
singapore baby market |
|
|
Voyage Trend Holiday Travel |
|
|
SG KITTEN FAMILY |
|
|
sgklttenfamily |
|
|
Sgkittenfamily |
|
|
sgkittenfamily |
|
|
sgkIttenfamIly |
|
|
sgkittenfamily |
|
|
SGKittenFamily |
|
TELEGRAM |
qqlovesnicki |
|
TELEGRAM |
Kelly Camille |
|
TELEGRAM |
KellyCamillel |
|
TELEGRAM |
KELLYCAMILLEL |
|
TELEGRAM |
kellycamillel |
|
TELEGRAM |
yinjayy |
|
TELEGRAM |
SGKITTENFAMILY |
|
TELEGRAM |
kelly camile |
|
TIKTOK |
jaho_tech01 |
|
|
theinkpap |
|
|
GraciaVersion |
|
|
Kruyxq653537 |
|
|
livinglife023 |
|
|
DaleSharep |
|
|
HilmaSharepAid |
|
|
LnbfuhvL |
|
|
macsalmia |
|
|
l_lnbfuhv |
|
|
MoniiCaaDhelia |
|
|
l-lnbfuhv |
|
|
liawidiacaem |
|
|
Matrixxmay |
|
|
kologh1959345 |
|
|
ParkN00 |
|
|
CFC192002 |
|
|
sadiasit17s |
|
|
Faith (Her Version) |
|
|
watermelonkiss |
|
|
M. |
|
|
tantrewayan |
|
|
Northern Exchange Service |
|
XIAOHONGSHU |
Xiao Hong Shu 648DDF37 |
|
XIAOHONGSHU |
64A69A26 |
Annex B
An example of a “deal” on Facebook ▼
A conversation between a “seller” and a victim ▼
SINGAPORE POLICE FORCE
25 July 2023 @ 10:55 PM