The Police have arrested a 30-year-old man for his suspected involvement in a case of Internet Love Scam (ILS).
In May 2023, the Police received a report of ILS where a 34-year-old female victim was cheated of more than $97,000. Through follow-up investigations, officers from Commercial Affairs Department established the identity of the man and arrested him on 8 November 2023. Preliminary investigations revealed that the man used a fictitious online persona and befriended the victim who was deceived into transferring more than $97,000 to him between August 2022 and February 2023. The man was believed to have used the money to repay his loans and daily expenses.
The man will be charged in court on 10 November 2023 with cheating under Section 420 of the Penal Code 1871. The offence of cheating carries an imprisonment term of up to 10 years, and a fine.
Members of public are advised to adopt the following measures to avoid falling victim to internet love scams:
- Do not receive/send money from/to people you do not know well, especially if you have not met in person
- Contact the Police immediately if you receive any message or call from someone claiming to be in trouble overseas and urgently needs you to send money; and
- Inform the Police if anyone tries to extort money from you.
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 1800-255-0000 or submit information online at www.police.gov.sg/iwitness.
SINGAPORE POLICE FORCE
10 November 2023 @ 1:05 AM