The Police have arrested a 27-year-old man and a 26-year-old woman for their suspected involvement in online scams.
Between October 2016 and December 2016, the Police received multiple reports involving more than 15 victims who have purportedly been cheated while responding to online sales offer of electronic items on Carousell.
Upon receiving these reports, officers from Ang Mo Kio Division conducted extensive enquires immediately. The victims had responded to the advertisement offer by the 26-year-old woman and transferred payment through online banking account belonging to the 27-year-old man. After the online payments were made, the woman suspect became uncontactable.
Through extensive enquiries, both suspects were arrested on 23 February 2017 along Senoko Road and Sembawang Drive.
he female suspect will be charged in Court on 25 February 2017 with an offence of Cheating under Section 420 of the Penal Code, Chapter 224, which carries a maximum punishment of 10 years imprisonment and fine. Investigations against the male suspect are ongoing.
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;
- Whenever possible, pay only on delivery.
- 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
- 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
24 February 2017 @ 3:30 PM