The Police have arrested a 28-year-old man for his suspected involvement in a series of e-commerce scam cases involving the sale of toy figurines.
Between 8 May and 12 May 2022, the Police received multiple reports from victims who were allegedly cheated by an online seller who advertised the sale of toy figurines. After the victims paid the deposits via bank transfers, the seller purportedly failed to deliver the toy figurines.
Through investigations, officers from Ang Mo Kio Police Division established the identity of the man and arrested him on 11 May 2022. Preliminary investigations revealed that the man is allegedly involved in other similar cases.
The man will be charged in court on 13 May 2022 with cheating under Section 420 of the Penal Code 1871. The offence carries an imprisonment term of up to ten years and a fine.
The Police would like to advise members of the public to take the following precautions when making online purchases:
- If the price is too good to be true, it probably is. Purchase only from authorised sellers or reputable sources, especially for high-value items.
- Opt for buyer protection by using in-built payment options of the e-commerce platform, if any, that release payment to the seller only upon delivery. Whenever possible, avoid making advance payments or direct bank transfers to the seller as this method does not offer any protection.
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
12 May 2022 @ 11:15 PM