Scammers pretending to be authorities cheated victims of $81,000 this year
Friday, Oct 16, 2015
SINGAPORE - Phone scammers pretending to be Government officers have taken a total of $81,000 from the Singapore public this year, the Singapore Police Force said on Friday.
Between January and September this year, the police received 37 reports about calls made by individuals who pretended to be officials from the Immigration & Checkpoints Authority, the Singapore Police Force or the Courts.
The con artists would claim that the victim had outstanding fines to settle, and asked for money transfers or credit card details of their victims.
SPF said in a statement that Government agencies do not call members of the public to request for any money transfers or credit card details.
The authority also said that people who receive such calls should ignore the caller and not transfer any money to him.
The police also urged for those who receive such calls to make a police report.
Anyone who has information on the scam can call the police hotline at 1800-255 0000 or 999 for urgent police assistance.
Information can also be submitted online at www.police.gov.sg/CrimeStopper. All information will be kept confidential.
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