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4 Common Scams Singaporeans Fall Prey To
Earlier this year, the Singapore Police Force released startling statistics of e-commerce related crimes in Singapore – online scams increased by 225.3 percent in 2014 compared to the previous years.
The huge increase to 1,659 cases compared to 510 in 2013 was attributed to the increase in number of internet users who shop online. The money lost by the victims went up by over 40% from $9.6 million in 2013 to about $13.6 million last year. Some of these cases include victims making multiple online purchases for goods that never arrived, internet love scams and those in which culprits conned victims into buying virtual credits.
In order to raise awareness of such crimes, the Crime Prevention Council and Singapore Police force launched an anti-scam campaign to raise awareness of online scams in Singapore.
Here at GET.com, we highlight some of these common scams so that you do not fall prey to them!
1. Multiple Payment Online Purchase Scam
How to spot:
Scammers 'sell' expensive electronic gadgets such as smartphone, laptops and tablets at a ridiculously low price to lure their victims. The latter are told to make advance payments for the ordered merchandises but they never arrived.
Those who regularly shop online should only buy from reputable sellers to prevent being scammed. If possible, ask for some kind of identification and contact/address where you can go to physically.
Never reveal your bank account numbers or credit card numbers to anyone you do not know. If possible, ask for cash on delivery payment method and check the goods before handing over your money.
2. Internet Love Scam
How to spot:
Scammers usually claim to be foreigners and target those searching for love on dating websites or social networking sites. After befriending the victims and gaining their trust, scammers will find ways to ask for monetary help.
They may claim to be in financial trouble or to have been detained by the authorities, asking the victims to send them packages containing valuables or transferring money to them.
Be careful when befriending people online, even if the 'friendship' has been going on for a few months.
You should never send any money or expensive gifts to someone whom you do not know well!
3. Money Mule Scam
How to spot:
“Money mules” are people who are used by conman to transfer and launder stolen money that are often acquired through illegal means. You will be promised a huge commission for simply receiving or transferring funds out from your account.
On your part, you may think that there is no harm, given that you do not lose anything and even stand to gain a small amount of money by performing such a simple transaction.
Individuals being used as money mules may be willing participants or can sometimes even be unaware that they are being made used of to commit fraud.
Only receive or transfer out funds to people you personally know.
If you suspect you have received illegal funds, do not touch them and lodge a police report immediately.
Do not be tempted by greed as the consequences will not be worth it at all!
4. Online Travel Scam
How to spot:
Many of us use the internet to search for cheaper flight tickets, hotel bookings of tour packages.
However, not all of these are legitimate.
Some scammers claim to provide vacation packages at very low prices. Victims who engage their services eventually find that their flights, hotels or tour packages were never booked.
Always use the services of reputable and accredited travel agencies.
For a list of active, ceased, suspended or revoked travel agencies in Singapore, check www.stb.gov.sg
This article was originally on the GET.com blog at: 4 Common Scams Singaporeans Fall Prey To.
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