The Police would like to warn those looking for work-from-home jobs during this COVID-19 circuit breaker period to be on their guard against job opportunities that could actually be part of an elaborate scam run by scam syndicates. Online job seekers may be unknowingly used as money mules to launder the proceeds of criminal activities.
Typically, these fake online job listings would require a person to perform one of the following in return for a small commission:
a) Processing fund transfers by receiving money into their personal bank accounts and then transferring the money out through online banking or money transfer services such as Western Union or MoneyGram,
b) Open bank accounts using their names for a business, or
c) Receive a donation into their personal bank accounts and assist to deposit the money into a crypto kiosk.
Members of the public are advised not to accept job offers that require them to only perform money transfers or open new bank accounts. They may unwittingly have committed a crime by assisting to launder money from criminal activities. The Police would like to warn the public that their bank accounts will be frozen and they may be subject to criminal investigation. They may be liable for money laundering under the Corruption, Drug Trafficking and Other Serious Crimes (Confiscation of Benefits) Act that carries an imprisonment term of up to 10 years, or a fine of up to S$500,000, or both.
If you suspect that you have received suspicious funds into your bank account, do not withdraw or transfer the money. Report the incident immediately to your bank and the Police.
If you wish to provide any information related to such scams, please call the Police hotline at 1800-255-0000, or submit it online at www.police.gov.sg/iwitness. If you require urgent Police assistance, please dial ‘999’.
To seek scam-related advice, you can call the National Crime Prevention Council’s anti-scam helpline at 1800-722-6688 or visit www.scamalert.sg.
SINGAPORE POLICE FORCE
30 April 2020 @ 7:00 PM