The Police would like to alert members of the public to the re-emergence of a phishing scam variant. For this phishing scam variant, scammers would pose as buyers on Carousell and victims would be instructed to complete the transaction on third-party websites after receiving phishing URL links from scammers masquerading as genuine buyers. Since July 2022, there have been at least ten victims, with losses amounting to at least $17,000.
Scammers would typically approach victims on Carousell and express interest in purchasing items that the victims are selling. After agreeing to the sale of the item, the scammer would tell victims that he would need the victims’ contact information to make payments via well-known logistic companies such as FedEx and SingPost. The scammer would then send a phishing URL link to the victims via Carousell’s in-app chat and third-party chats like WhatsApp, instructing the victims to click on the link to receive payment. However, upon clicking on these URL links, victims would be redirected to fraudulent websites, where they would be tricked into providing their banking details and One-Time Passwords (OTP) to receive payment. Victims would only realise that they have been scammed when they discovered unauthorised transactions made to their bank accounts.
Members of the public are advised to note and follow these crime prevention measures:
- Always verify the buyer’s profile on online marketplaces by checking the account's verification status, creation date, reviews and ratings;
- Do not click on URL links provided in unsolicited emails and text messages;
- If in doubt, always verify the authenticity of the information with the e-commerce platform directly;
- Never disclose your personal or internet banking details and OTP to anyone; and
- Report any fraudulent transactions to your bank immediately.
If you have any information relating 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 falling prey to scams.
Annex A
SINGAPORE POLICE FORCE
19 August 2022 @ 4:45 PM