The Police have arrested a 17-year-old teenager for his suspected involvement in a series of e-commerce scams.
Between 4 October and 19 November 2019, the Police received several reports from victims who were cheated by an online buyer of used Apple products. The suspect would arrange for a meet-up with the victims who had listed their items for sale on Carousell. During the meet-up, the suspect convinced the victims to hand over the items to him by assuring them that he had made a “scheduled transfer” using his iBanking application to their accounts and they would receive the payment within a few hours. However, the victims did not receive any money in the end.
Through investigations, officers from Bedok Police Division established the identity of the teenager and arrested him on 20 November 2019. Preliminary investigations revealed that he is believed to be involved in at least five cases of e-commerce scams amounting to over $5000.
The teenager will be charged in court on 22 November 2019 with cheating under Section 420 of the Penal Code, Chapter 224 which is punishable with an imprisonment term that may extend to 10 years, and a fine.
For more information on scams, members of the public can visit scamalert.sg or call the Anti-Scam Hotline at 1800-722-6688. Anyone with information on such scams may call the Police hotline at 1800-255 0000or submit information online at www.police.gov.sg/iwitness.
SINGAPORE POLICE FORCE
21 November 2019 @ 6:35 PM