The Singapore Police Force (SPF) has issued a serious alert regarding increasing scams targeting residents through social media platforms and email impersonation, leading to significant financial losses.
Livestream Scams on Social Media
Since August 2024, at least S$160,000 (US$123,500) has been lost due to scams involving livestreams, primarily on Facebook. The police have reported over 30 lucky draw scams and 13 e-commerce scams within this period.
- Lucky Draw Scams: Victims are lured into purchasing scratch cards with the promise of cash prizes. Afterward, they receive requests to transfer more money to “upgrade” their chances of winning, or to cover administrative fees for their supposed winnings.
- E-Commerce Scams: Scammers promote bags purportedly containing gold, enticing victims to buy multiple bags in hopes of winning. If they do not win, they are encouraged to buy upgraded bags, with false promises of higher returns.
Scammers commonly instruct victims to make payments using PayNow or DuitNow through QR codes, leaving many unaware until they seek assistance from the police.
Email Impersonation Scams Targeting Students
In another alarming trend, the police have reported at least 15 cases of email scams impersonating educational institutions, leading to losses of about S$44,000 (US$34,000) since 14 October 2024.
- Urgent Payment Requests: Victims receive emails that appear to be from fellow students or closely resemble official addresses, requesting immediate payment of overdue school fees.
- Pressure to Pay: Scammers often warn that failure to act swiftly could result in legal action from the institution’s litigation department.
Many students only realise they’ve been scammed after confirming with their educational institutions or receiving alerts from anti-scam authorities.
Final Reminder from the Authorities
The SPF has urged the public to exercise caution and not to transfer money to unknown individuals. Additionally, students and parents should verify any unusual payment requests through official school channels before acting. As one might say, it pays to be cautious—especially when it comes to your hard-earned money!