The Police would like to alert members of the public to a recent trend of phishing scams involving the online applications of Entry Visas of various countries and other related services. Since 1 November 2024, at least 22 cases were reported, with total losses amounting to at least $3,000.
In this scam variant, some victims would receive Uniform Resource Locator (URL) links from acquaintances or friends, and other victims would use internet search engines (e.g. Google) to search for Entry Visas and other related services, such as the application of digital arrival cards, and vehicle entry permits. Examples of keywords used by victims include "apply for an Australian visa", "K-Eta”, and “apply US visa”.
The victims would be redirected to phishing websites after clicking on the URL links forwarded to them by other persons or the internet search engine results. Some phishing websites were in the top results or appeared as paid advertisements, thus increasing their perceived credibility. Victims would key in their personal and credit or debit card information, thinking they were providing the information and making payment for the services.
Victims would only realise that they had been scammed when:
- they checked with the Immigration service at the destination country and discovered that they did not have a valid Entry Visa or that their digital arrival card had not been submitted;
- they subsequently discovered unauthorised credit or debit card transactions; or
- they did not receive any confirmation for their application.
The Police would like to advise members of the public to adopt the following precautionary measures to avoid falling for scams:
- ADD – the ScamShield app and set security features (e.g. set up transaction limits for internet banking transactions, enable Two-Factor Authentication (2FA), Multifactor Authentication for banks and e-wallets, use the Money Lock feature of your bank to “lock up” a portion of your money so that it cannot be transferred out digitally by anyone, further protecting your savings from scams). Do not send money to anyone you do not know or have not met in person before. Do not disclose your personal information, bank/card details and One-Time Passwords (OTPs) to anyone.
- CHECK – for scam signs with official sources such as the ScamShield helpline (1799). You can also check the legitimacy of suspicious messages, phone numbers and website links via the ScamShield app or visit the ScamShield website at www.scamshield.gov.sg.
You may wish to refer to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs’ website (https://www.mfa.gov.sg/Where-Are-You-Travelling-To) as a reference for your travel-related applications. As visa requirements often change at short notice, you should not rely on the sponsored advertisements for valid visas, rather you should check with your travel agencies or the respective embassies/representative offices for the most up-to-date information.
- TELL – the authorities, family, and friends about scams. Report any fraudulent transactions to your bank immediately.
If you have any information relating to such crimes or are in doubt, please call the Police Hotline at 1800-255-0000, or submit a report online at www.police.gov.sg/i-witness. 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.scamshield.gov.sg or call the ScamShield Helpline at 1799. Fighting scams is a community effort. Together, we can ACT Against Scams to safeguard our community!
SINGAPORE POLICE FORCE
06 December 2024 @ 9:53 PM