The Police have observed a re-emergence of bank phishing scams via social media advertisements. Since October 2022, there have been at least 27 reports lodged, with at least $30,600 lost.
Scammers would typically put up enticing promotional advertisements on social media platforms to attract victims. Victims who click on the advertisements would be directed to a phishing site created by scammers. Victims would then be prompted to key in their banking credentials and submit their One-Time Payment (OTP) information. Victims would realise that they had been scammed when they discover unauthorised transactions made from their bank accounts.
The Police would like to remind members of the public to be alert and to follow these crime prevention measures:
- Do not click on dubious URL links provided in online advertisements;
- Be sceptical of attractive promises and deals that are simply too good to be true;
- Never disclose your personal or Internet banking details and OTP to anyone;
- Always verify the authenticity of the information with the official website or sources; and
- Report any fraudulent credit/debit card charges to your bank and cancel your card immediately.
If you have any information related to such crimes, please call the Police Hotline at 1800-255-0000, or submit it online at www.police.gov.sg/iwitness. All information will be kept strictly confidential. If you require urgent Police assistance, please dial ‘999’.
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 becoming the next victim.
Examples of “too good to be true” phishing advertisements created by scammers on social media platforms
SINGAPORE POLICE FORCE
22 November 2022 @ 10:20 PM