The Police have arrested four men, aged between 18 and 21, for their suspected involvement in a series of scams involving fraudulent subscription of mobile lines.
On 9 March 2019, the Police received a report that a victim was purportedly cheated into signing up for a mobile plan, after she responded to an advertisement on a social media platform, promising “Fast Cash”. After the victim signed the mobile plan, the smartphone together with the SIM card which was worth more than $1,000, was handed over to the suspects. The victim was then paid a commission of $100 in cash. The suspects promised the victim that the mobile line will be terminated thereafter, however this was not the case. The victim was made to pay for all the charges incurred on the mobile line after the suspects went uncontactable, and she realised that it is not possible to cancel the line without incurring penalties.
Officers from Bedok Police Division conducted extensive investigations to establish the identity of the men and arrested them on 13 March 2019. Preliminary investigations revealed that the men are suspected to be involved in more than seven other similar cases of scams.
Two of the men will be charged in court on 15 March 2019 with cheating under Section 420 of the Penal Code, Chapter 224. If convicted, they will be punished with imprisonment for a term which may extend up to 10 years, and shall also be liable to a fine. Investigations against the other two men are ongoing.
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
15 March 2019 @ 12:05 AM