In an operation conducted on 1 August 2022, the Commercial Affairs Department arrested one 17-year-old man and identified two men, aged 30 and 37, for their suspected involvement in a scam involving the sale of Marquee Singapore tickets on Telegram. Since July 2022, at least 19 victims have fallen prey, with total losses amounting to at least $5,000.
On 31 July 2022, the Police received information about a scam variant involving the sale of Marquee Singapore tickets on Telegram, where victims were deceived into making advance payments to scammers to secure tickets for entry to Marquee Singapore.
Preliminary investigations revealed that victims came across posts made by scammers, on Telegram chatgroups such as 'SG Clubbing'. These posts advertised the sale of Marquee Singapore tickets, for various events that were sold out on the official website of Marquee Singapore. In these posts, victims were promised that by purchasing tickets via the scammers, they would have guaranteed entry into Marquee Singapore and would also not have to queue to enter. Upon responding to the posts, victims were requested by the scammers to make advance payment for the tickets. The victims realised that they had been scammed when the scammers became uncontactable after the transfers had been made but they did not receive the tickets they had paid for.
In general, patrons of Marquee Singapore would be required to purchase tickets for entry either via the official Marquee Singapore website or onsite at Marquee Singapore itself.
Officers from the Commercial Affairs Department conducted investigations and arrested one man. Two other men are also currently assisting with investigations. The three men are believed to have facilitated the scam by providing their bank accounts to facilitate illicit fund movements.
Police investigations are ongoing. The offence of cheating and dishonestly inducing the delivery of a property under Section 420 of the Penal Code 1871 carries an imprisonment term of up to 10 years and a fine.
The Police would like to advise members of the public to adopt the following crime prevention measures:
- Purchase only from authorised sellers or reputable sources. Buying cheap tickets from re-sellers is risky - If the price is too good to be true, it probably is;
- When purchasing tickets online, use escrow payment options that protect buyers by releasing payment to the seller only upon delivery, where possible. Avoid making advance payments or direct bank transfers to the seller as this method does not offer any protection to buyers; and
- Arrange for a physical meet-up with the seller to verify the authenticity of the tickets or items prior to making payment. Bear in mind that the party that you are dealing with online is a stranger.
If you have any information related to such crimes, please call the Police Hotline at 1800-255-0000, or submit it online at www.police.gov.sg/iwitness. All information will be kept strictly confidential. If you require urgent Police assistance, please dial ‘999’.
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/resources/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.
Screenshot of the Telegram post made by scammers advertising the sale of Marquee Singapore Tickets
SINGAPORE POLICE FORCE
03 August 2022 @ 6:50 PM