At least $1.3m lost to Simba staff impersonation scam in October, police warn, Singapore News

In all such cases, victims were then transferred to another scammer impersonating police or Monetary Authority of Singapore (MAS) officers, who would then instruct the victims to transfer money to bank accounts, or hand over cash and/or valuables to purported police or MAS officers for the purpose of “investigations”.

In some past cases, victims would be reassured that their money and valuables would be returned to them once these “investigations” were completed.

Victims would only realise that they had been scammed after the scammers became uncontactable or when victims sought verification from the relevant government agencies.

How to guard against these red flags

While scammers are known to apply pressure tactics, those who receive such calls are advised to stay calm and spot these signs:

• Asking for cash, gold, luxury watches, or cryptocurrency to be transferred or handed over.
• Asking for banking login details.
• Asking to obtain loans from licensed moneylenders.
• Installing mobile apps from unverified app stores.
• Transferring calls to the police or other government officials.

Those who find themselves in such situations should stop acceding to requests of scammers and seek advice from the authorities, family members or friends.

If in doubt, members of the public can call the 24/7 ScamShield helpline at 1799 for assistance.

Later this year, calls from the police will start with a common, easily recognisable prefix as part of efforts to counter such impersonation scams.

The police will be the first government agency to pilot this initiative.

[[nid:748903]]

editor@asiaone.com