The Police have arrested a 26-year-old man for his suspected involvement in several cases of scams.
Between April and October 2023, the Police received several reports from victims who were purportedly cheated by an online seller, who had advertised the sale of game credits and “PlayStation 5”. The man allegedly failed to deliver the items after payments were made.
Through extensive follow-up investigations, officers from Ang Mo Kio Police Division established the identity of the man and arrested him on 14 November 2023. Preliminary investigations revealed that he is believed to be involved in other cheating cases and had allegedly relinquished his bank accounts which were used to perpetuate scams.
The man will be charged in court on 16 November 2023 with cheating under Section 420 of the Penal Code 1871. The offence of cheating carries an imprisonment 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:
- If the price is too good to be true, it probably is. Purchase only from authorised sellers or reputable sources, especially for high-value items.
- Opt for buyer protection by using in-built payment options that release payment to the seller only upon delivery. Whenever possible, avoid making advance payments or direct bank transfers to the seller as this method does not offer any protection.
- Scammers may entice buyers to contact them directly through messaging platforms such as WhatsApp or WeChat by offering a better or faster deal if bank transfer payments are made directly to them. They may also use a local bank account or provide a copy of a NRIC/driver’s license to make you believe that they are genuine sellers. Do not fall for it!
For more information on scams, members of the public can visit www.scamalert.sg or call the Anti-Scam Helpline at 1800-722-6688. Anyone with information related to such scams may call the Police Hotline at 1800-255-0000 or submit information online at www.police.gov.sg/iwitness. All information will be kept strictly confidential.
SINGAPORE POLICE FORCE
15 November 2023 @ 8:15 PM