The Police have arrested two teenagers and a man, aged between 15 and 35, for their suspected involvement in a series of cheating cases.
Between 29 June and 24 July 2020, the Police received separate reports from four victims who were purportedly cheated by an online seller who advertised authentic Apple AirPods for sale on Carousell. After receiving their purchase, victims discovered that the merchandise were counterfeit.
Through follow-up investigations, officers from Bedok Police Division established the identity of the trio and arrested them between 30 and 31 July 2020. Preliminary investigations revealed that the two teenagers are believed to be responsible for listing the product online and transacting with interested buyers, while the 35-year-old man is believed to have supplied the teenagers with the counterfeit products. A total of 59 pieces of counterfeit merchandise were seized.
Police investigations are ongoing. The offence of cheating carries a jail term of up to 10 years and a fine, while the offence of importing goods with a falsely applied trademark carries a fine of up to $10,000 for each item to which the trademark is falsely applied, a jail term of up to 5 years, or both.
For more information on scams, 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
31 July 2020 @ 11:30 PM