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4 Despicable Scams in Singapore YOU MUST AVOID
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Scams in Singapore are on the rise. Since March, more than $4 million has been lost through phone scams alone! These scams target everyone in general, from old women who lose hundreds of thousands to even the police! Learn about the top 4 scams in Singapore and save yourself from heartache.
DHL/ SingPost Illegal Package Phone Impersonation Scam
Perhaps the most well-known scam in Singapore. Victims typically receive a phone call from scammers claiming to be from a well-known company (E.g. DHL, Fedex or Singpost)/ Bank/ Government organization in China or more recently Singapore. The scammer will then tell the would-be victim that they are a recipient/ sender of a package containing drugs, fake passports, false credit cards or some other illegal contraband.
At this point, the victim may be directed to a “Police Officer” who asks victims to provide personal details, such as your name and I.C. number. Victims are then told to make a bank transfer by a specific time by the scammers to avoid legal action.
Do note, that the callers can be very convincing and sound rather professional and that their numbers may be spoofed to show a local Singaporean number. A strange thing is that most of these scams begin with an automated phone message.
Funds To Be Released When You Send Me Items Scam
A lesser known scam that is less expensive but despicable nonetheless. This scam doesn’t specifically always target money, but rather targets items that a user may have on sale on popular classifieds sites such as Gumtree and Craigslist or platforms such as Carousell.
The scammer will approach the victim claiming that he wants to purchase an item that the victim has listed. He will agree with the victim on a price, and ask for a bank account to transfer to. After the bank account is provided to the scammer. He will then provide a screenshot of a cash transfer into the victim’s account, however, he will say that his “bank” will need a scanned copy of the registered shipment before they release the cash to the victim’s account. So the victim is forced to send the item via registered shipment to the foreign address provided by the scammer.
After the shipment details are provided, the “bank” will then ask for an “Account activation fee” of between $500 – $750. Without which they won’t release funds.
Credit For Meetup/ Sex/ Massage Scam
This is a fairly popular and direct scam. In most cases, scammers convince victims to purchase Apple Credits, or make payment through Alipay, or Tao Bao in exchange for the chance to meetup with a girl platonically, or more commonly for massages/ sex.
Since it’s beginning, this scam has changed slightly to include many more payment methods including Singtel’s Mcash and Bank account transfers, to make it seem more legitimate.
I Have Your Child Kidnap Scam
This is perhaps the most disgusting scam on the list. Taking advantage of a parent’s concern for their children. Scammers call victims and once you pick up you’ll hear the voice of a young boy or girl crying for help. Following that, another scammer, this time a man, will take the phone and ask for a large sum of money. There have been reported instances where these scammers will claim that they have just committed a crime and need to get out of the country and demand that you transfer/ lend them a sum of money.
Do note that the callers tend to use a local phone number which makes the threats seem more valid.
A common method some parents have used to guard against the scam is to ask them the name of their child or to speak to their child. In most cases, the scammers will not be able to produce this information and hang up the phone or get infuriated and engage in cursing and swearing without actually telling you your child’s name or letting you speak to your “child”.
We hope that this guide on some of the most popular scams in Singapore has been useful to you. If it has, do share this article with your friends, think that we missed a scam out? Leave us a comment in the space below! Learn more about scams in Singapore through http://www.scamalert.sg/, a website that shares some of the scams in Singapore and allows users to share their experiences with such scams.
EasyRates is Singapore’s preferred portal for home loans, refinancing, equity loans, overseas loans, personal and business loans, having long standing partnerships with more than 20 banks. Our experienced consultants are advocates for our customers and work hard to ensure you get the best packages available. The best part? Our services are 100% free of charge. Here at EasyRates we pride ourselves on providing unbiased advice on all loans and financial products and putting our customers above all else. So what are you waiting for? Get a FREE Mortgage consultation today!
GERRY ONG
Former banking lizard, startup ninja and trainer turned writer. Personal Finance writer by day, cycling enthusiast by night, lover of rainy days and starry nights always.
4 Despicable Scams in Singapore YOU MUST AVOID
[/mk_fancy_title]
Scams in Singapore are on the rise. Since March, more than $4 million has been lost through phone scams alone! These scams target everyone in general, from old women who lose hundreds of thousands to even the police! Learn about the top 4 scams in Singapore and save yourself from heartache.
DHL/ SingPost Illegal Package Phone Impersonation Scam
Perhaps the most well-known scam in Singapore. Victims typically receive a phone call from scammers claiming to be from a well-known company (E.g. DHL, Fedex or Singpost)/ Bank/ Government organization in China or more recently Singapore. The scammer will then tell the would-be victim that they are a recipient/ sender of a package containing drugs, fake passports, false credit cards or some other illegal contraband.
At this point, the victim may be directed to a “Police Officer” who asks victims to provide personal details, such as your name and I.C. number. Victims are then told to make a bank transfer by a specific time by the scammers to avoid legal action.
Do note, that the callers can be very convincing and sound rather professional and that their numbers may be spoofed to show a local Singaporean number. A strange thing is that most of these scams begin with an automated phone message.
Funds To Be Released When You Send Me Items Scam
A lesser known scam that is less expensive but despicable nonetheless. This scam doesn’t specifically always target money, but rather targets items that a user may have on sale on popular classifieds sites such as Gumtree and Craigslist or platforms such as Carousell.
The scammer will approach the victim claiming that he wants to purchase an item that the victim has listed. He will agree with the victim on a price, and ask for a bank account to transfer to. After the bank account is provided to the scammer. He will then provide a screenshot of a cash transfer into the victim’s account, however, he will say that his “bank” will need a scanned copy of the registered shipment before they release the cash to the victim’s account. So the victim is forced to send the item via registered shipment to the foreign address provided by the scammer.
After the shipment details are provided, the “bank” will then ask for an “Account activation fee” of between $500 – $750. Without which they won’t release funds.
Credit For Meetup/ Sex/ Massage Scam
This is a fairly popular and direct scam. In most cases, scammers convince victims to purchase Apple Credits, or make payment through Alipay, or Tao Bao in exchange for the chance to meetup with a girl platonically, or more commonly for massages/ sex.
Since it’s beginning, this scam has changed slightly to include many more payment methods including Singtel’s Mcash and Bank account transfers, to make it seem more legitimate.
I Have Your Child Kidnap Scam
This is perhaps the most disgusting scam on the list. Taking advantage of a parent’s concern for their children. Scammers call victims and once you pick up you’ll hear the voice of a young boy or girl crying for help. Following that, another scammer, this time a man, will take the phone and ask for a large sum of money. There have been reported instances where these scammers will claim that they have just committed a crime and need to get out of the country and demand that you transfer/ lend them a sum of money.
Do note that the callers tend to use a local phone number which makes the threats seem more valid.
A common method some parents have used to guard against the scam is to ask them the name of their child or to speak to their child. In most cases, the scammers will not be able to produce this information and hang up the phone or get infuriated and engage in cursing and swearing without actually telling you your child’s name or letting you speak to your “child”.
We hope that this guide on some of the most popular scams in Singapore has been useful to you. If it has, do share this article with your friends, think that we missed a scam out? Leave us a comment in the space below! Learn more about scams in Singapore through http://www.scamalert.sg/, a website that shares some of the scams in Singapore and allows users to share their experiences with such scams.
EasyRates is Singapore’s preferred portal for home loans, refinancing, equity loans, overseas loans, personal and business loans, having long standing partnerships with more than 20 banks. Our experienced consultants are advocates for our customers and work hard to ensure you get the best packages available. The best part? Our services are 100% free of charge. Here at EasyRates we pride ourselves on providing unbiased advice on all loans and financial products and putting our customers above all else. So what are you waiting for? Get a FREE Mortgage consultation today!
GERRY ONG
Former banking lizard, startup ninja and trainer turned writer. Personal Finance writer by day, cycling enthusiast by night, lover of rainy days and starry nights always.