The Police are investigating five men and two women, aged between 24 and 59, for their suspected involvement in a series of holiday travel package scams.
Between March to May 2023, the Police received multiple reports from victims who had purportedly been cheated by an online travel agency for what appears to be sham travel packages. After receiving the payments via money transfers, the company did not fulfil the agreed service and became uncontactable. At least 48 victims were cheated of a total sum amounting to at least $1.7 million.
Through follow-up investigations, officers from Woodlands Police Division established the identities of seven suspects and commenced investigations against them.
Out of the 7 suspects, a 29-year-old man was charged in court on 26 May 2023 for his suspected involvement in unauthorised disclosure of access code under Section 8(1) of the Computer Misuse Act 1993. The offence carries a fine not exceeding $10,000, an imprisonment term not exceeding three years, or both, for first-time offenders; and a fine not exceeding $20,000, an imprisonment term not exceeding five years, or both, for subsequent convictions.
The Police would like to advise members of the public to take the following precautions when engaging online services:
- Check with the Singapore Tourism Board and the National Association of Travel Agents whether a vendor is an accredited travel agent, and buy air tickets only from authorised sellers or reputable sources.
- If the price is too good to be true, it probably is. Purchase from authorised sellers or reputable sources.
- Whenever possible, avoid making advance payments or direct bank transfers to the service providers.
- Scammers may entice buyers to make deposits before the services are provided, and they may also 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!
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
01 June 2023 @ 5:00 PM