Investigating scams and supporting victims of crime – DSP Clara Wong shares her experience with the SPF’s Anti-Scam Command.
By: Amanda Wong
Almost everyone knows about scams that rob innocent victims of their hard-earned money, but the officers who investigate such crimes often work away from the spotlight. In an interview with Police Life, Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP) Clara Wong shares about her work as the Officer-in-Charge of an Anti-Scam Investigation Team in the Anti-Scam Command (ASCom).
Bring us through your journey as an officer.
I joined the Singapore Police Force (SPF) in 2010. After completing my training, I was posted to Clementi Police Division as an Investigation Officer (IO) in 2011. I was then posted to Tanglin Police Division as a Team Leader at Bishan Neighbourhood Police Centre in 2013 before joining the Commercial Affairs Department (CAD) in 2014, where I’ve been since!
In the CAD, I went through various postings that exposed me to a wide variety of crimes such as credit card fraud, syndicated online payment system fraud, counterfeit currencies and cases involving the breach of cross-border cash reporting regimes. At the ASCom, I specialise in investigating scam cases.
What was your impression of an IO before you became one?
Before joining the SPF, my impression of an IO was highly shaped by the Crimewatch television series. I had the impression that investigative work was demanding yet highly rewarding, and the reality has proven to be just as true!
Investigative work is similar to piecing together a jigsaw puzzle. In the same way that different jigsaw puzzles have varying difficulty levels, the cases we investigate are also complex in their own ways. When solving a jigsaw puzzle, it’s normal to come across missing pieces. Likewise, as IOs, we have to search for crucial evidence that could lead to a breakthrough. Certain cases also require the collaboration of other law enforcement agencies and public agencies.
What are some unique elements of working at the ASCom?
It requires a keen understanding of white-collar crime, cyber threats and financial intricacies. The cases we investigate extend beyond the physical domain into the cyber realm, and this is a unique and essential facet of modern law enforcement.
What’s the most fulfilling part of being an IO?
We’re able to make a positive change and leave a lasting impact on the people we serve. As bearers of the public’s trust, IOs like myself strive to better protect the community against scams.
Scams can be a traumatic experience for certain victims. Some may have been put under immense pressure over a prolonged period by scammers who pose as government officials to allege that the victims have committed a serious crime. Other victims, in addition to losing their life savings (and at times, the life savings of their family members), may also end up estranged from their loved ones. As an IO with the ASCom, part of my work involves supporting victims in their recovery to normalcy.
What are some of the challenges you face at work?
It’s challenging when we have to break the news to victims that their funds may not be recovered as they might have been transferred out of our jurisdictions. We have to be tactful to ensure that victims are able to heal and find the strength to move on.
Another challenge is the large number of overseas-based scam syndicates. They’re often well-resourced and sophisticated, making the investigation and prosecution of such scammers difficult. Working together with foreign law enforcement agencies, the ASCom had extradited several suspects to Singapore for investigations and prosecutions.
What’s the most memorable case you’ve encountered?
There was a China Officials Impersonation Scam case where the victim had been deceived and manipulated by scammers.
We traced the victim’s identity and conducted a house visit immediately. A frail, elderly lady came to the front door but, as soon as we identified ourselves as Police officers, she became defensive and prevented her family members from answering our queries. From her demeanour, we deduced that she was a scam victim.
My team and I pressed on and eventually convinced the elderly lady that the “China police officer” she’d been communicating with was, in fact, a scammer. She’d been in contact with the scammer for nearly three weeks and was about to transfer her life savings to him. I felt proud that our timely intervention and persistence had paid off.
What advice would you give to yourself at the start of your IO career?
I’d encourage myself to be inquisitive without limits to learn and grow in the field of investigative work. The sense of purpose I get from solving cases and upholding justice, coupled with the camaraderie among colleagues, has made my role as an IO not just my profession, but also a deeply rewarding journey.
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