The Police have arrested two men, aged 45 and 63, for their suspected involvement in a series of cheating and conspiracy to illegally obtain personal information.
Between 3 and 12 May 2021, the Police received more than 60 reports from victims who were allegedly cheated after responding to job advertisements posted on e-commerce platforms. In these job advertisements, victims were told that they would earn commission by shopping online using their own money and payments for the purchased items with the commission will subsequently be deposited into their bank account. After one to two successful attempts, the victims were instructed to make larger purchases, however the victims were not compensated for these purchases and the commission. The victims were cheated of about $236,000.
Preliminary investigations revealed that the victims had communicated with the scammers via local mobile numbers. The mobile numbers were registered at local mobile retailer outlets and the subscribers were unaware that additional mobile numbers were registered under their names and used in criminal activities.
Through investigations, officers from Central Police Division identified the two men and arrested them on 3 and 4 June 2021. Preliminary investigations revealed that the 63-year-old man, who is a mobile retailer, purportedly used his customers’ information to sign up for mobile lines without their knowledge, and subsequently supplied the prepaid cards to others, including the 45-year-old man, for monetary benefits. Various electronic devices including laptops, desktop computers, mobile phones and terminal devices, as well as prepaid cards were seized.
Investigations also revealed that the 45-year-old man purportedly purchased the prepaid cards which were believed to be linked to the series of cheating cases, and supplied them to overseas clients who are belived to be the scammers. Various electronic devices including a desktop and mobile phones, as well as prepaid cards were seized.
Investigations against the 63-year-old man are ongoing. The 45-year-old man will be charged in court on 5 June 2021 with retaining illegally obtained personal information, punishable under Section 416A of the Penal Code. The offence carries an imprisonment term of up to three years, a fine of up to $10,000, or both. The offence of cheating, punishable under Section 420 of the Penal Code, carries an imprisonment term of up to 10 years and a fine.
The Police have zero tolerance towards such criminal acts. The Police will not hesitate to take action against those who blatantly disregard the law.
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.
Photographs of seized items
SINGAPORE POLICE FORCE
05 June 2021 @ 8:05 AM