SINGAPORE — If you get a call from a stranger asking you to download an app onto your smartphone, think twice.

In a Facebook post on Wednesday (June 22), the police said they have been informed of cases where some people have received phone calls from scammers claiming to be from courier companies or pretending to be government officials. These scammers then instruct their victims to download a certain app onto their mobile phones.

“These applications when downloaded may introduce malware into mobile phones that may allow scammers to gain access to any incoming messages which could lead to the theft of banking credentials and other personal information,” said the police.

They have advised the public to take extra precautions when receiving such calls.

On Wednesday, the Central Narcotics Bureau issued a warning about a person or persons impersonating a CNB officer and requesting for money.

And last Friday, the Ministry of Manpower (MOM) warned of a phone scam where the caller posed as an MOM or government officer.