Following a three-day operation conducted from 8 to 10 April 2019 by Clementi Police Division, 22 men and 10 women, aged between 17 and 56, are currently assisting in investigations for their suspected involvement in e-commerce scams and commercial crime-related offences. The suspects are believed to be involved in 39 cases where victims have lost more than $1,500,000.
26 of the suspects are believed to have allowed their bank accounts to be used by criminals to facilitate scams. These include online purchase scams advertising the sale of concert tickets and electronic products, loan scams and impersonation scams. They are being investigated for the offence of cheating under the Penal Code which carries a punishment of imprisonment for up to 10 years and a fine, or money laundering under the Corruption, Drug Trafficking and Other Serious Crimes (Confiscation of Benefits) Act which carries a punishment of imprisonment for up to 10 years and/or fine of up to $500,000.
Five of the suspects are being investigated for the offence of cheating.
The remaining suspect is being investigated for the offence of criminal breach of trust under the Penal Code which carries a punishment of imprisonment which may extend to 7 years and shall also be liable to a fine.
Commander of Clementi Police Division, Assistant Commissioner of Police Jarrod Pereira said: “The Police take a serious view against any person involved in scams and frauds, and perpetrators will be dealt with in accordance with the law.”
Members of the public are advised to adopt the following measures to avoid falling victim to online purchase scams:
• Don’t be impulsive – Be wary of online advertisements of items at cheap prices that sound too good to be true! Do not buy on impulse. Read the reviews of the seller before committing to a purchase.
• Don’t believe – Scammers may use a local bank account or provide a copy of a NRIC/driver’s licence to make you believe that they are genuine sellers. Do not fall for it!
• Don’t give – As you are dealing with strangers, avoid making payments or deposits in advance. Use shopping platforms/arrangements that release your payment to the seller only upon receipt of the item. Alternatively, arrange to meet the seller and pay only on delivery.
To avoid being an accomplice to crimes, members of the public should reject requests by others to use your bank account or mobile lines as you will be held accountable if these accounts are linked to illegal transactions.
If you wish to provide any information related to such scams, please call the Police hotline at 1800-255-0000, or submit it online at www.police.gov.sg/iwitness. If you require urgent Police assistance, please dial ‘999’.
To seek scam-related advice, you may call the anti-scam helpline at 1800-722-6688 or go to www.scamalert.sg Join the ‘let’s fight scams’ campaign at www.scamalert.sg/fight by signing up as an advocate to receive up-to-date scam prevention messages and share them with your family and friends. Together, we can help prevent our loved ones from becoming the next victim of scam.
26 of the suspects are believed to have allowed their bank accounts to be used by criminals to facilitate scams. These include online purchase scams advertising the sale of concert tickets and electronic products, loan scams and impersonation scams. They are being investigated for the offence of cheating under the Penal Code which carries a punishment of imprisonment for up to 10 years and a fine, or money laundering under the Corruption, Drug Trafficking and Other Serious Crimes (Confiscation of Benefits) Act which carries a punishment of imprisonment for up to 10 years and/or fine of up to $500,000.
Five of the suspects are being investigated for the offence of cheating.
The remaining suspect is being investigated for the offence of criminal breach of trust under the Penal Code which carries a punishment of imprisonment which may extend to 7 years and shall also be liable to a fine.
Commander of Clementi Police Division, Assistant Commissioner of Police Jarrod Pereira said: “The Police take a serious view against any person involved in scams and frauds, and perpetrators will be dealt with in accordance with the law.”
Members of the public are advised to adopt the following measures to avoid falling victim to online purchase scams:
• Don’t be impulsive – Be wary of online advertisements of items at cheap prices that sound too good to be true! Do not buy on impulse. Read the reviews of the seller before committing to a purchase.
• Don’t believe – Scammers may use a local bank account or provide a copy of a NRIC/driver’s licence to make you believe that they are genuine sellers. Do not fall for it!
• Don’t give – As you are dealing with strangers, avoid making payments or deposits in advance. Use shopping platforms/arrangements that release your payment to the seller only upon receipt of the item. Alternatively, arrange to meet the seller and pay only on delivery.
To avoid being an accomplice to crimes, members of the public should reject requests by others to use your bank account or mobile lines as you will be held accountable if these accounts are linked to illegal transactions.
If you wish to provide any information related to such scams, please call the Police hotline at 1800-255-0000, or submit it online at www.police.gov.sg/iwitness. If you require urgent Police assistance, please dial ‘999’.
To seek scam-related advice, you may call the anti-scam helpline at 1800-722-6688 or go to www.scamalert.sg Join the ‘let’s fight scams’ campaign at www.scamalert.sg/fight by signing up as an advocate to receive up-to-date scam prevention messages and share them with your family and friends. Together, we can help prevent our loved ones from becoming the next victim of scam.
PUBLIC AFFAIRS DEPARTMENT
SINGAPORE POLICE FORCE
11 April 2019 @ 3:15 PM
SINGAPORE POLICE FORCE
11 April 2019 @ 3:15 PM