The Police have arrested a 42-year-old woman for her suspected involvement in a series of rental scams.
Between 10 June to 24 July 2023, the Police received several reports from victims who had responded to listings on Carousell and Facebook purporting to offer rooms for rental in the vicinity of Ang Mo Kio Avenue 1. After viewing the unit in person, victims were asked to pay a deposit to the woman to secure the rental. The woman purportedly cancelled the rental and delayed the refunds of their deposits.
Through follow up investigations, officers from Woodlands Police Division established the identity of the woman and arrested her on 26 July 2023. Preliminary investigations revealed that she is believed to be involved in 8 similar cases of rental scams with losses amounting to more than $7,000.
The woman will be charged in court on 28 July 2023 with the offence of cheating under Section 420 of the Penal Code 1871. The offence carries an imprisonment term of up to 10 years and a fine.
The Police would also like to remind members of the public to adopt the following precautionary measures to avoid falling prey to rental scams:
- Do not make any advance payment until the tenancy is confirmed, and pay the rental deposit and rents by cheque or via bank transfer for documentary proof;
- Visit the housing unit which you intend to rent to confirm its existence, the unit’s condition and potential signs of multiple subletting; and
- Verify the identities of the person/s whom you are dealing with and their relationship to the housing unit, especially when you are not engaging the services of a licensed estate agent or registered salespersons.
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
27 July 2023 @ 9:20 PM