Drop money scam: 3 caught

[Legolas]

Jun 23, 2010
Drop money scam: 3 caught

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Members of the public are advised to be aware of and vigilant against such scams and to take the following crime prevention measures:

- Be aware of stranger loitering around the ATM before or when drawing money.

- If you intend to withdraw a large sum of money, ask someone you know to accompany you.

- Avoid exposing your cash and conceal your notes quickly once the ATM dispenses the money.

- Secure your vehicle doors and windows when it is left unattended, even if it is only for a short while.

- If you need to transport valuables or large sum of money, avoid leaving them on the passenger's seat or at the dashboard. Make sure they are locked inside the glove compartment.

- Be aware of distraction techniques employed by potential criminals.

THREE Mexican nationals - two men and a woman - have been arrested in connection with three cases of attempted theft and the 'drop money' scam
Police said the victims in these cases had withdrawn large sums of money from the bank before returning to their cars.

Before they drove off, the culprits would approach the victims and get them to leave their vehicles momentarily, saying on the pretex that they had dropped a stack of cash outside the vehicle. While the victim was distracted, one of the culprits would then take the opportunity to steal the victim's cash from the vehicle.

In one of the cases, the culprits managed to steal cash totalling about $20,000 from the victim's vehicle which he had left unsecured to pick up the scattered notes. Following the reports, officers from the Bedok Police Division and the Central Police Division sprang into action and managed to arrest the suspects in the vicinity of East Point Shopping Centre on Tuesday at about 11.15am.

All three suspects, aged between 32 to 37 years, will be charged in court on Thursday for theft. If convicted, they can each be jailed up to three years, fined or both. For the offence, the offender can be punished with imprisonment for up to 3 years, or with fine or with both.

 

[Legolas]

3 Mexicans caught in 'drop money' scam


3 Mexicans caught in 'drop money' scam
Posted: 23 June 2010 2154 hrs
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SINGAPORE : The police have arrested three Mexicans in connection with three attempted theft and theft cases using the 'drop money' scam.

The three - two men and a woman - are between 32 and 37 years old.

They targeted people who had withdrawn large sums of money from the bank before returning to their vehicle.

The suspects would approach the victims to deceive them into leaving their vehicles momentarily on the pretext that they had dropped a stack of cash outside the vehicle.

While the victim was distracted, one of the culprits would take the opportunity to steal the victim's cash from the vehicle.

In one of the cases, the culprits managed to successfully steal S$20,000 from the victim's vehicle.

The suspects were arrested in the vicinity of East Point Shopping Centre on Tuesday at about 11.15am.

All three will be charged in court on Thursday. If convicted, they face a maximum sentence of three years' jail and a fine.

- CNA/al