The Police have arrested a 19-year-old teenager for his suspected involvement in a series of e-commerce scam cases involving graphic cards.
In April 2022, the Police received several reports from victims who were purportedly cheated after placing orders for graphic cards with an advertiser on Carousell. The victims did not receive their items after making payments via PayNow.
Through follow-up investigations, officers from Ang Mo Kio Division established the identity of the teenager and arrested him on 5 May 2022. Preliminary investigations revealed that the teenager is believed to be involved in at least nine other cheating cases, in which victims lost at least $12,000.
The subject will be charged in court on 6 May 2022 with cheating under Section 420 of the Penal Code. The offence carries an imprisonment term of up to 10 years and a fine.
The Police would like to advise members of the public to take the following precautions when making online purchases:
If the price is too good to be true, it probably is. Purchase only from authorised sellers or reputable sources, especially for high-value items.
Opt for buyer protection by using in-built payment options that release payment to the seller only upon delivery. Whenever possible, avoid making advance payments or direct bank transfers to the seller as this method does not offer any protection.
Scammers may entice buyers to contact them directly through messaging platforms such as WhatsApp or WeChat by offering a better or faster deal if bank transfer payments are made directly to them. They may also use a local bank account or provide a copy of an NRIC or driver’s licence to make you believe that they are genuine sellers.
For more information on scams, members of the public can visit scamalert.sg or call the Anti-Scam Hotline at 1800-722-6688. Anyone with information on such scams may call the Police Hotline at 1800-255-0000 or submit information online at www.police.gov.sg/iwitness.
Source: Singapore Police Force