<TABLE cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=0 width=510 align=center border=0><TBODY><TR><TD>What Bugs Me
Posted on 09 Oct, 2008 12:31
</TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE><TABLE cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=0 width=530 align=center border=0><TBODY><TR><TD>Phone scam: Why didn't police want to nab criminals?
A STOMPer, who read STOMPer Cynthia's posting on a phone scam and the subsequent lack of response by the police, has written in to say that his family had a similar experience on the same day as STOMPer Cynthia.
The STOMPer says that his parents had also received a call from strangers claiming to have kidnapped his sister.
The strangers demanded a total ransom fee od $50, 000.
Upon realising it was a scam, they called the police and even offered to help lure the scam artists out.
However, the STOMPer says that the police did not want to take the lead.
Hence, the STOMPer is left wondering why the police did not want to follow up in such an important fraud case.
In his e-mail dated October 9, he says:
“I would like to provide a feedback similar to the one posted on Stomp today about the kidnap ransom scam that my parents encountered on the same day as the sender.
“SPF did not take any action when prompted by my parents to trace the lead!
The STOMPer recounts his parents' experience in an e-mail to SPF:
“‘Dear Sir/ Madam,
‘I write with great distress on the way your officer handled the following incident:
‘At around 2.50 pm yesterday (7 Oct 08), my father received a call at home with the caller claiming to be his daughter and held in custody of the ‘kidnappers’.
‘She was sobbing badly over the other line claiming that my father would need to raise $50K for her release.
‘Her reason for being held custody was that she had played guarantor to a friend for a loan and now the friend has run away to another country after being unable to raise money to pay off the loan.
‘A man then snatched over the phone from her and intimidated my father, saying that, should he fail to raise the ransom as requested, his ‘daughter’ would be killed.
‘My father was almost taken in by the conman and luckily my mother (who was beside my father) used her personal handphone to contact my sister and verified that she was safe and sound.
‘After establishing that it is a con case and with knowledge of these incidents from the newspapers/ media, she called the Police at 999.
‘The police officer that attended to her told her that since her daughter was safe and sound, it's ok to ignore the caller should he/she call again the next time!
‘While still on the line with the conman, my father even offered to stall time by negotiating the ransom and even willing to lure the conman out for payment of ransom (supposedly at a nearby POSB) so that he can be caught red-handed.
‘However, disappointingly, the police officer said that it's Ok,
never mind, and rejected the offer.
‘This morning (8 Oct), the conman called my parents' house again, re-enacting the whole drama, without realising that they have made the same call yesterday.
‘It is pretty obvious that they are still going around prying on other vulnerable victims.
‘This attitude and mindset of the police officer is very disturbing. We as citizens look upon you as our guardian for our safety and well being.
‘Any calls that are received through no. 999 should be treated with great urgency and the caller should be given benefit of doubt to trigger an action from the Police.
‘In my parent's case, I believe that there is no grounds to suspect that my mother is making a prank call as she is calling using her personal HP to make the report.
‘What is even more unacceptable is that, the officer gave up an opportunity to follow the lead and nab the conman red-handed!
‘I hope to highlight this incident to you and will await a reasonable explanation from you. I can be contacted on my mobile: XXXX for any clarifications.
‘Thank you.’”
To read Cynthia's story, click here:
Beware of this kidnap ransom scam, says victim
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Posted on 09 Oct, 2008 12:31
</TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE><TABLE cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=0 width=530 align=center border=0><TBODY><TR><TD>Phone scam: Why didn't police want to nab criminals?
A STOMPer, who read STOMPer Cynthia's posting on a phone scam and the subsequent lack of response by the police, has written in to say that his family had a similar experience on the same day as STOMPer Cynthia.
The STOMPer says that his parents had also received a call from strangers claiming to have kidnapped his sister.
The strangers demanded a total ransom fee od $50, 000.
Upon realising it was a scam, they called the police and even offered to help lure the scam artists out.
However, the STOMPer says that the police did not want to take the lead.
Hence, the STOMPer is left wondering why the police did not want to follow up in such an important fraud case.
In his e-mail dated October 9, he says:
“I would like to provide a feedback similar to the one posted on Stomp today about the kidnap ransom scam that my parents encountered on the same day as the sender.
“SPF did not take any action when prompted by my parents to trace the lead!
The STOMPer recounts his parents' experience in an e-mail to SPF:
“‘Dear Sir/ Madam,
‘I write with great distress on the way your officer handled the following incident:
‘At around 2.50 pm yesterday (7 Oct 08), my father received a call at home with the caller claiming to be his daughter and held in custody of the ‘kidnappers’.
‘She was sobbing badly over the other line claiming that my father would need to raise $50K for her release.
‘Her reason for being held custody was that she had played guarantor to a friend for a loan and now the friend has run away to another country after being unable to raise money to pay off the loan.
‘A man then snatched over the phone from her and intimidated my father, saying that, should he fail to raise the ransom as requested, his ‘daughter’ would be killed.
‘My father was almost taken in by the conman and luckily my mother (who was beside my father) used her personal handphone to contact my sister and verified that she was safe and sound.
‘After establishing that it is a con case and with knowledge of these incidents from the newspapers/ media, she called the Police at 999.
‘The police officer that attended to her told her that since her daughter was safe and sound, it's ok to ignore the caller should he/she call again the next time!
‘While still on the line with the conman, my father even offered to stall time by negotiating the ransom and even willing to lure the conman out for payment of ransom (supposedly at a nearby POSB) so that he can be caught red-handed.
‘However, disappointingly, the police officer said that it's Ok,
never mind, and rejected the offer.
‘This morning (8 Oct), the conman called my parents' house again, re-enacting the whole drama, without realising that they have made the same call yesterday.
‘It is pretty obvious that they are still going around prying on other vulnerable victims.
‘This attitude and mindset of the police officer is very disturbing. We as citizens look upon you as our guardian for our safety and well being.
‘Any calls that are received through no. 999 should be treated with great urgency and the caller should be given benefit of doubt to trigger an action from the Police.
‘In my parent's case, I believe that there is no grounds to suspect that my mother is making a prank call as she is calling using her personal HP to make the report.
‘What is even more unacceptable is that, the officer gave up an opportunity to follow the lead and nab the conman red-handed!
‘I hope to highlight this incident to you and will await a reasonable explanation from you. I can be contacted on my mobile: XXXX for any clarifications.
‘Thank you.’”
To read Cynthia's story, click here:
Beware of this kidnap ransom scam, says victim
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