In an islandwide enforcement operation between 17 and 25 October 2019, the Commercial Affairs Department hauled up 11 suspects for their suspected involvement in e-commerce scams.
Nine men and two women, aged between 18 and 33, are assisting with investigations for their suspected involvements in e-commerce scams involving the sales of concert tickets, attraction tickets, hotel bookings and electronic products. The suspects are believed to be involved in more than 60 scam cases where victims have lost more than $21,500.
Investigations are ongoing. The offence of cheating under Section 420 of the Penal Code, Chapter 224 carries a jail term of up to 10 years, and a fine.
While online shopping is convenient, the Police would like to advise members of the public to take the following precautions:
- Find out how shopping platforms safeguard your interest or can help you resolve disputes, before performing a transaction through them. Note that the party you are dealing with online is a stranger;
- Insist on cash on delivery especially if responding to online classified advertisements;
- If advance payments are required, use shopping platforms that only release your payment to the seller upon your receipt of the item;
- Note that sellers may provide a copy of an identification card or driver’s licence to gain your trust, but it may not belong to the person communicating with you online; and
- Note that scammers may use a local bank account to enhance their 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 www.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. All information will be kept strictly confidential.
SINGAPORE POLICE FORCE
25 October 2019 @ 5:00 PM