In a 3-day operation conducted between 17 and 19 October 2016, 67 persons were rounded up for their suspected involvement in various scams. The 28 men and 39 women, aged between 15 and 65, are suspected to be involved in 187 cases of scams involving more than $630,000.
Most of the suspects are believed to have posted online advertisements on the sale of items. Victims are then asked to make deposit or advanced payments into local bank accounts before the delivery of items. However, the suspects did not deliver the items and could not be contacted thereafter. Other suspects were involved as “money mules”, and have helped the criminal syndicates to receive illegal funds in their local bank accounts.
All of 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 Money Laundering which carries a punishment of imprisonment for up to 10 years and a fine of up to S$500,000 under the Corruption, Drug Trafficking and Other Serious Crimes (Confiscation of Benefits) Act. Money found from illegal sources will be frozen for the purpose of investigations.
Police would like to caution the public to be vigilant when they shop online as we approach the festive season. From January to June 2016, a total of 1,145 cases of cheating involving e-commerce had been reported, an increase of 13% compared to the same period last year. Approximately 7 out of 10 of the victims had used online community marketplaces namely Carousell, Gumtree and Facebook for their online purchases. Many of the reports lodged involved the sale of admission tickets to local attractions, concerts or events and new models of mobile phones.
Members of the public should take the following precautions to avoid becoming a scam victim or being used as a “money mule”:
a) Buy from authorised dealers for a safer transaction or choose shopping platforms that have arrangements to only release payment upon confirmation of receipt of the item.
b) Choose to pay on delivery. When you use community marketplaces, remember that the other party is a stranger and be careful if you are asked to pay or provide personal or bank information.
c) Reject requests to use your bank account or handphone lines, as you are accountable for the transactions in your accounts.
SINGAPORE POLICE FORCE
20 October 2016 @ 8:15 PM