Police have arrested a 38-year-old man for his suspected involvement in a “SEA Games” employment scam involving more than 50 victims.
2 Police received a report on 18 May 2015 stating that more than 50 individuals turned up at a company to report for training, only to discover that they had fallen prey to an employment scam. The victims had responded to advertisements posted on Facebook by the suspect, purporting to offer jobs for the upcoming SEA Games. The suspect then interviewed victims for the said jobs at various locations in Singapore. Following the interview, the suspect collected $35 for training fees and event uniform from each victim. He then requested each of them to attend a compulsory 3-day training at a company in New Bridge Road.
3 Upon receipt of the report, officers from Central Police Division and Marine Parade Neighborhood Centre carried out extensive follow-up investigations, leading to the arrest of the suspect at Ang Mo Kio Avenue 10 on 21 May 2015 at 10.50 pm. Upon his arrest, a notebook, mobile phones and an iPad were seized as case exhibits. Preliminary investigations revealed that the suspect is also believed to be involved in two other theft cases committed in Marine Parade and Serangoon Central.
4 The suspect will be charged in Court on 23 May 2015 for the offence of Cheating under Section 420 of the Penal Code, Chapter 224, which carries a maximum punishment of 10 years imprisonment and fine.
5 Police would like to remind the public to be wary of such scams. If in doubt, they should seek verification with related authorities, recruitment agencies or main event organizers.
SINGAPORE POLICE FORCE
22 May 2015 @ 3:18 PM