A total of 55 subjects, comprising 27 men and 28 women, aged between 17 and 72, are currently assisting in Police’s investigations following a 3-day operation conducted between 25 and 27 July 2016. They are believed to be involved in more than 150 online scams with transactions exceeding $230,000.
Most of the suspects are believed to have posed as online sellers and did not deliver the products to their buyers after receiving payment. The common products include entrance tickets to local attractions, vouchers, mobile phones and hotel room bookings. Others are believed to have acted as “money mules” who received and transferred illegal funds on behalf of criminal syndicates.
The suspects are being investigated for the offence of Cheating which carries a punishment of imprisonment for up to 10 years and a fine, or for money laundering offences under the Corruption, Drug Trafficking and Other Serious Crimes (Confiscation of Benefits) Act, which carry a punishment of imprisonment for up to 10 years and a fine of up to S$500,000.
Police takes a serious view against any person involved in scams, whether knowingly or unknowingly. Anyone found to be involved in such scams will be subject to Police investigations. Police will work closely with the banks and freeze any bank account found to be used to receive money from illegal sources for investigation purpose. The suspects will not be able to utilize their bank accounts for any transaction while investigations are ongoing.
The number of cheating cases involving E-Commerce increased from 1,665 cases in 2014, to 2,173 cases in 2015. Police observed that 3 out of 4 of the E-Commerce related reports lodged in 2015, were made by persons using online community marketplaces. The Police advise members of public to take the following precautions when they transact online:-
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Remember that the party you are dealing with online is a stranger. Before you transact, find out how the online site safeguards your interest or can help you resolve disputes;
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Pay only on delivery or use payment platforms with established refund policies, if advance payments are required; and
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Reject requests by others to use your bank account or handphone lines, as you are accountable for the transactions that pass through them.
SINGAPORE POLICE FORCE
29 July 2016 @ 10:30 AM