Phone scammers who impersonated Govt officials cheated victims of S$81,000 this year

SINGAPORE — Victims of phone scams, where the caller claimed to be a Government official, were cheated of a total of S$81,000 in the first nine months of this year.

The police received 37 reports of such incidents from members of the public between January and September.

The impersonators contacted the victims and claimed to be officials from the Immigration & Checkpoints Authority, the Singapore Police Force or the Courts, said the police. The impersonators then asked for money transfers or credit card details for the purposes of settling outstanding offences.

In an advisory, the police today (Oct 16) said that Government agencies do not call members of the public to request for any money transfers or credit card details.

Members of the public who receive such calls should ignore the calls, refrain from transferring money to the caller and report the case to the police.

Those with any information related to this crime can call the police 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 strictly confidential.