44 arrested for suspected involvement in online scams
Thursday, Oct 1, 2015
SINGAPORE - Police arrested 44 men and women, aged between 18 and 54, for their suspected involvement in various online scams in a two-day island-wide operation held on Sep 29 and 30.
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The 22 men and 22 women are suspected to be involved in 137 cases of online scams involving more than $110,000, said the police in a media statement released on Thursday.
Some of the suspects are believed to have acted as money mules who received and transferred illegal funds on behalf of criminal syndicates.
Others are believed to have posed as online sellers of various products such as electronic gadgets, mobile phones and more, but failed to deliver the products to their buyers even after receiving payment.
If convicted under the offence of Cheating, they face imprisonment for up to 10 years and a fine.
For those convicted under money laundering offences under the Corruption, Drug Trafficking and Other Serious Crimes (Confiscation of Benefits) Act, they face a jail term for up to 10 years and a fine of up to $500,000.
Any bank account found to have been used to receive money from illegal sources will be frozen for the purpose of investigations, said the police.
The suspects will not be able to utilise their bank accounts for any transaction while investigations are ongoing, they added.
Police also advise members of public to be vigilant when engaging in any form of online activity on social media applications or online shopping platforms.
They should not allow their bank accounts to be used to receive funds from unknown sources as these monies may be illegal funds.
They should also be mindful that the personal particulars such as identity numbers, bank account numbers provided to them over the Internet may have been fraudulently obtained and may not belong to the person they are communicating with.
Here are some tips from the police to avoid becoming a victim of such scams:
1. Be wary of strangers who befriend you online. Think twice if such online "friends" ask you for money.
2. Never give your bank account and credit card details and personal information to anyone you do not know or have not checked out.
3. If you are purchasing something, always check the track record of the party you are dealing with. Use reputable sites and payment platforms with established refund policies.
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