The Police have arrested an 18-year-old man who is believed to be involved in multiple cases of online purchase scams.
Between 23 August to 5 September 2016, the Police received several reports from victims who were purportedly cheated by a seller who had offered discounted tickets to the Ultra Music Festival for sale online. After payments were made by the victims, the suspect became uncontactable.
Officers from Tanglin Division conducted extensive investigations and established the identity of the suspect, who was subsequently arrested along Jalan Chegar on 15 September 2016.
The suspect will be charged in Court on 19 September 2016 for the offence of Cheating under Section 420 of the Penal Code Chapter 224. Anyone found guilty of the offence may be punished with imprisonment for a term which may extend up to 10 years, and shall be liable to a fine.
Members of the public are advised to adopt the following measures to avoid falling prey to online purchase scams:
a) Make your online purchases only from reputable vendors;
b) If advanced payments are necessary, only transact with people you know and trust.
c) Check that the person or company you are buying from is physically located where they claim to be.
d) Check the company or seller’s track record. Make enquiries with the clients and customers about the service they received from the seller.
e) Never give your bank account numbers, credit card numbers and personal information to anyone you do not know or have not checked out.
f) Do not provide any information that is not necessary to make the purchase.
g) Be mindful that scammers may use a local bank account for the transaction to enhance their credibility. The owner of the bank account may not be the person communicating with you online.
SINGAPORE POLICE FORCE
16 September 2016 @ 11:00 AM