The Police have arrested a 30-year-old man who is believed to be involved in multiple cases of online purchase scams.
Between 4 and 28 September 2016, the Police received numerous reports from victims who were purportedly cheated by a seller who had offered a discounted price for PS4 game consoles. After payments were made by the victims, the suspect would give various excuses and did not deliver the goods. The total amount involved was approximately $6,000.
Officers from Jurong Division conducted extensive investigations and established the identity of the suspect. The suspect was subsequently arrested along Toh Guan Road East on 4 October 2016.
The suspect will be charged in Court on 6 October 2016 with 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.
While online shopping is convenient, the Police would like to advise members of the public to take the following precautions when shopping online:
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Bear in mind that the party you are dealing with online is a stranger. Before performing a transaction, find out how the online site safeguards your interest or can help you resolve disputes;
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Whenever possible, pay only on delivery.
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If advanced payments are required, use shopping platforms that provide arrangements to only release your payment to the seller upon your receipt of the item; and
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Be mindful that although culprits may provide a copy of an Identification Card or Driver’s licence to gain your trust, it may not necessarily belong to the person communicating with you online.
SINGAPORE POLICE FORCE
05 October 2016 @ 6:30 PM