A recent scammer posed as a friend with updated contact number, imitating a friend, sought a hefty S$4,800 from a potential target.
The target received a seemingly casual request for help from a person they thought was a friend. The scammer, using the guise of Mr. Sim, a known associate, aimed to extract a quick payday using the POSB banking app. However, the savvy target grew wary when he was asked to direct an unexpected transfer of S$4,800, a classic sign that set off alarm bells. He simply turned down the request citing not enough balance in his account.
The scammer tried again, this time suggesting a reduced amount of S$1,000 instead. The would-be victim’s decision to verify the request directly with his friend, Mr Sim, led to a swift exposure of the fraud and a subsequent police report to help report the scam.
It is important to always protecting one’s personal information online, especially when dealing with banking and contact details. If fraud is suspected, immediate steps such as stopping any communication, and reporting to police would be safe.
Often, scammers will adopt the identity of someone you trust, exploit emotional vulnerabilities, or apply pressure to push through their scams. According to the Singapore Police Force (SPF), over 22,339 scam cases were reported in the first half of 2023, a 64.5 per cent increase from the same period in 2022. Those who fell victim to these reported cases lost S$334.5 million. The police urged the public to stay alert towards scams.
