The Police would like to remind the public to be discerning online shoppers, especially when pre-ordering electronic products online from third-party resellers, for sales of such as the new iPhone 14 (available for pre-orders in September and October 2022). When the iPhone 13 was launched in September 2021, scammers posing as online third-party resellers cheated 20 victims into making advance payments for phones which never arrived.
Members of the public are advised to remain vigilant, as scammers might take the opportunity to ask online shoppers to pay upfront booking fees for the new iPhone 14 that would not be delivered after the date of the official launch.
The Police would like to advise members of the public to adopt the following crime prevention measures when they purchase electronic products online:
- Purchase only from authorised sellers or reputable sources. Buying cheap electronic products from resellers is risky - If the price is too good to be true, it probably is;
- Get buyer protection by using in-built payment options that release payment to the seller only upon delivery of products. Whenever possible, avoid making advance payments or direct bank transfers to sellers as this method does not offer any protection to buyers; and
- Scammers may entice victims into buying popular products and offer them a better deal if bank transfer payments are made directly to them. They may also use a local bank account or provide a copy of a NRIC/driver’s licence to make you believe that they are genuine sellers. Do not fall for it!
If you have information related to such crimes or if you are in doubt, please call the Police Hotline at 1800-255-0000, or submit it online at www.police.gov.sg/iwitness. Please dial ‘999’ if you require urgent Police assistance.
For more information on scams, members of the public can visit www.scamalert.sg or call the Anti-Scam Hotline at 1800-722-6688. Join the ‘Spot the Signs. Stop the Crimes’ campaign at www.scamalert.sg/fight by signing up as an advocate to receive up-to-date messages and share them with your family and friends. Together, we can help stop scams and prevent our loved ones from becoming the next victim.
SINGAPORE POLICE FORCE
15 September 2022 @ 8:45 PM