Following a four-day enforcement operation conducted between 25 and 29 November 2019 by officers from the Commercial Affairs Department and seven police land divisions, 46 men and 31 women, aged between 15 and 71, are currently assisting in investigations for their suspected involvement in scams. The suspects are believed to be involved in 137 cases of scams, which mainly comprise e-commerce scams, amounting to loss of more than $237,000.
The suspects are being investigated for cheating or money laundering. The offence of cheating, punishable under section 420 of the Penal Code, carries a jail term of up to 10 years and a fine. The offence of money laundering, punishable under the Corruption, Drug Trafficking and Other Serious Crimes (Confiscation of Benefits) Act, carries a jail term of up to 10 years and/or a fine of up to S$500,000.
Members of the public are advised to adopt the following measures to avoid falling victim to e-commerce scams:
- Don’t be impulsive – Be wary of online advertisements of items at cheap prices that sound too good to be true! Do not buy on impulse. Read the reviews of the seller before committing to a purchase.
- Don’t believe – Scammers may use a local bank account or provide a copy of a NRIC/driver’s licence to make you believe that they are genuine sellers. Do not fall for it!
- Don’t give – As you are dealing with strangers, avoid making payments or deposits in advance. Try to use shopping platforms/arrangements that release your payment to the seller only upon receipt of the item. Alternatively, arrange to meet the seller and pay only on delivery.
To avoid being an accomplice to crimes, members of the public should always reject requests to use their bank account or mobile lines as they will be held accountable if their accounts are linked to illegal transactions.
For more information on scams, members of the public can visit www.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
29 November 2019 @ 4:10 PM