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The Police have arrested a 39-year-old man for his suspected involvement in a series of rental scams.

Between June and October 2021, the Police received reports from several victims of rental scams who had responded to Facebook advertisements offering rental of rooms. After the victims viewed the residential units and paid the deposit via bank transfer, the man purportedly became uncontactable.

Through follow-up investigations, officers from Ang Mo Kio Police Division established the identity of the man and arrested him on 14 October 2021. Preliminary investigations revealed that he had allegedly overstayed in Singapore.

The man will be charged in court on 16 October 2021 with cheating under Section 420 of the Penal Code. The offence of cheating carries an imprisonment term which may extend to ten years, and a fine. He is also liable for the offence of overstaying in Singapore exceeding 90 days, under Sec 15(3)(b) of the Immigration Act, Cap 133. The offence carries an imprisonment term not exceeding six months and caning.

Members of the public are reminded to be wary of such scams and to adopt the following precautionary measures:

• Ask to visit the property to verify that it exists;
  
  
• Ensure the person you deal with is the rightful owner of the unit or an accredited real estate agent; and
  
  
• Do not pay rental deposits or rent to the salesperson. Payments should be made directly to the property owner and only after all parties have signed the tenancy agreement.

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.