The police have arrested a 29-year-old woman for her suspected involvement in a series of e-commerce scams.
Between July and December 2024, the Police received reports from several victims of e-commerce scams who had responded to online advertisements selling clothing and books. After the victims paid the seller via bank transfer, the seller purportedly became uncontactable.
Through follow-up investigations, officers from Jurong Police Division established the identity of the woman and arrested her on 13 January 2025. Preliminary investigations revealed that she is believed to be involved in 32 similar cases of e-commerce scams.
The woman will be charged in court on 15 January 2025 with the offence of cheating under Section 420 of the Penal Code 1871. The offence carries an imprisonment term which may extend up to 10 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 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.
- Scammers may entice buyers to contact them directly through messaging platforms such as WhatsApp or WeChat by offering a better or faster deal if bank transfer payments are made directly to them. They may also use a local bank account or provide a copy of a NRIC/driver’s license to make you believe that they are genuine sellers.
For more information on scams, members of the public can visit www.scamshield.gov.sg or call the ScamShield Helpline at 1799. Anyone with information on such scams may call the Police Hotline at 1800-255-0000 or submit information online at www.police.gov.sg/i-witness.
SINGAPORE POLICE FORCE
14 January 2025 @ 6:42 PM