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 in opposition to 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, no less than 2 victims have fallen prey, with complete losses amounting to no less than SGD 73,000.”

The SPF launch defined: “In this variant, victims would obtain unsolicited robocalls from native cell 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 non-public particulars, corresponding 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, corresponding 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 underneath the victims’ identify to allow legal actions.

Singapore Police Force

Citing examples of such a scam, the SPF launch stated: “In earlier circumstances, 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 corresponding to identification quantity, checking account particulars, SingPass password or 2FA OTP over cellphone or social messaging platforms corresponding to WhatsApp to help in investigations.

“The police won’t ever ask a person to switch cash right into a checking account underneath their identify or one other individual’s identify 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 id.”

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

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

● CHECK – Check for scam indicators with official sources (e.g. ScamProtect 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 must be knowledgeable instantly. Other folks also needs to be told about this scam, in order that they don’t fall for it.

Anyone with any info referring to 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 will probably be saved strictly confidential. For pressing Police help, dial ‘999’.