The Police have arrested a man and a woman, aged 38 and 39, for their suspected involvement in a series of e-commerce scams.
In August 2018, the Police received multiple reports from victims who were purportedly cheated by the suspects who were selling wardrobes and other furniture on an online platform. After payments were made by the victims via bank transfers, the couple would become uncontactable. The total loss amounted to S$2,149.
Through follow up investigations, officers from Jurong Police Division established the identities of the suspects and arrested them on 7 September 2018.
Both suspects will be charged in court on 8 September 2018 with cheating under Section 420 of the Penal Code, Chapter 224. Anyone found guilty for cheating may be punished with imprisonment for a term which may extend up to 10 years, and shall also be liable to a fine.
Commander of Jurong Police Division, Assistant Commissioner of Police Devrajan Bala commended his officers for the hard work in the identification and arrest of the suspects responsible for these cases. The Police take a serious view against any person who may be involved in scams, and those found perpetrating scams will be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law.
Members of the public are advised to adopt the following measures to avoid falling victim to such scam:
- Bear in mind that the party you are dealing with online is a stranger. Before performing a transaction, find out how the online site safeguards your interest or can help you resolve disputes;
- Insist on cash on delivery especially if responding to online classified advertisements;
- If advanced payments are required, use shopping platforms that provide arrangements to only release your payment to the seller upon your receipt of the item;
- Buy goods from authorised dealers. If advanced payments are required, use shopping platforms that provide arrangements to only release your payment to the seller upon your receipt of the item;
- Be mindful that although scammers may provide a copy of an Identification Card or Driver’s licence to gain your trust, it may not necessarily belong to the person communicating with you online; and
- Note that scammers may use a local bank account to enhance credibility; however the owner of the account may not be the person communicating with you online.
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
07 September 2018 @ 10:45 PM