Singapore Police issue alert on scam calls from impostor ‘officers’; victims lost SGD 73,000

The Singapore Police Force (SPF) has issued an advisory that cautions the general public towards a brand new scam, which is “a authorities official impersonation scam variant”.

In a press launch yesterday, the SPF stated that these “scammers would impersonate officers from the Anti-Scam Centre (ASC), to hunt victims’ help in investigations”. It added: “Since January 2024, at the least 2 victims have fallen prey, with complete losses amounting to at the least SGD 73,000.”

The SPF launch defined: “In this variant, victims would obtain unsolicited robocalls from native cellular traces claiming to be from the ASC. Victims would be told that they’re being investigated and are required to report back to Police Cantonment Complex for an interview. They could be guided to press ‘0’ to talk to an operator.

“However, victims could be directed to scammers who would then request the disclosure of private particulars, comparable to identification quantity, as a part of the verification course of. The name could be transferred to a different scammer impersonating a police investigation officer, who would re-engage the sufferer through WhatsApp name to proceed the dialog.”

Victims of such [a] scam variant might be deceived into disclosing private particulars, comparable to checking account particulars, private credentials, SingPass password or Two-Factor Authentication (2FA) One-Time Password (OTP) for the aim of helping in investigations. Such info could also be misused to entry victims’ checking account to allow unauthorised transactions or create a brand new checking account below the victims’ title to allow legal actions.

Singapore Police Force

Citing examples of such a scam, the SPF launch stated: “In earlier instances, victims have been instructed to switch cash to a checking account for the aim of helping in monetary investigations. The police won’t ever ask for a person’s private particulars comparable to identification quantity, checking account particulars, SingPass password or 2FA OTP over cellphone or social messaging platforms comparable to WhatsApp to help in investigations.

“The police won’t ever ask a person to switch cash right into a checking account below their title or one other individual’s title to help in investigations.

“The police wish to remind members of the general public to not disclose your private particulars to unknown individuals with out first ascertaining their identification.”

According to Singapore Police, members of the general public are inspired to undertake the next crime prevention measures:

● ADD – Add the ScamDefend App to guard oneself from scam calls and SMSes.

● CHECK – Check for scam indicators with official sources (e.g. ScamDefend WhatsApp bot @ https://go.gov.sg/scamshield-bot, name the Anti-Scam Helpline on 1800-722-6688, or go to www.scamalert.sg).

● TELL – Report the quantity to WhatsApp for them to provoke in-app blocking. If an individual has already disclosed their banking particulars, the financial institution needs to be knowledgeable instantly. Other folks must also be told about this scam, in order that they don’t fall for it.

Anyone with any info regarding such crimes ought to name the Singapore Police Hotline at 1800-255-0000, or submit it on-line at www.police.gov.sg/i-witness. All info shall be stored strictly confidential. For pressing Police help, dial ‘999’.