Sep 2, 2010
Beware cyber 'love traps'
<!-- by line --> By Lee Jia Xin
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The police warns members of the public about a new cyber scam. -- PHOTO: CHOO CHWEE HUA
<!-- story content : start --> POLICE have uncovered a new cyber extortion scam. The scammers would proposition Internet users into performing sexual acts in front of a webcam, and extort from the victims by threatening to circulate their compromising photos and videos.
Some victims have fallen prey and forced to remit money to a foreign account to pay for the freight charges or custom levies for gifts which the perpetrator claimed to be sending to the victim.
According to the police, the extortionists are believed to be foreigners.
The police urged members of the public who encounter such incidents to report the matter to the police immediately.
The police also advised Internet users to take the following preventive measures:
* exercise caution when dealing with unknown persons 'befriended' through the Internet
* never put yourself in a vulnerable position or give personal details about yourself when interacting with other internet users
* do not remit, transfer or give any money to unknown persons and
* inform the Police immediately if anyone attempts to blackmail or threaten you.
* members of the public are advised to be cautious when dealing with unknown persons over the internet.
