The Anti-Scam Centre (ASC) of the Singapore Police Force in collaboration with OCBC Bank, using Robotic Process Automation (RPA) technology ain a one-month joint operation from 16 March to 15 April 2023. Potential losses of more than $12.6 million from more than 700 victims were successfully safeguarded.
During the operation, officers from the ASC and OCBC Banks conducted “live interventions” by analysing the fund flows to more than 500 bank accounts, which were surfaced in scam reports. The ASC and OCBC Bank worked together to identify scam victims who had been transferring monies into these scam-tainted bank accounts and more than 1,000 SMSes were sent to alert scam victims of the on-going scams perpetuated against them.
RPA Technology
To increase the speed of intervention, officers from the ASC developed a system using RPA technology to automate the processes of information sharing, information processing and mass sending of SMSes to the scam victims.
RPA technology allowed the Police to alert scam victims early and this helped the victims to mitigate their financial losses. More than 700 victims were alerted that they could have fallen prey to scams and were advised to halt further monetary transfers. Victims would only realise that they had been deceived after they received the SMSes from the Police.
ACT Against Scams
The Police urge members of the public to “ACT” against scam. The ACT acronym outlines how members of the public can Add security features, Check for signs, and Tell the authorities and other about scams.
What is ACT?
ACT outlines three actions individuals should take to safeguard themselves and the community against scams.
- Add security features such as ScamShield and two-factor authentication for personal accounts. Also, set up transaction limits for Internet banking, to limit the amount of funds possibly lost in the event of a scam;
- Check for potential signs of a scam by asking questions, fact-checking requests for personal information and money transfers, and verifying the legitimacy of online listings and reviews. Take the time to pause and check. If it is too good to be true, it is probably untrue, and a scam;
- Tell the authorities and others about scam encounters by reporting to the bank, ScamShield, or by filing a Police report. Tell others about ongoing scams and the preventive steps they can take.
For more information on scams, members of the public can visit www.scamalert.sg or call the Anti-Scam Helpline 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. All information will be kept strictly confidential.
ASC officer working together with OCBC Bank during the one-month joint operation ▼
SINGAPORE POLICE FORCE
16 April 2023 @ 6:38 PM