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Police arrest 13 people over suspected roles in rental scams where 480 victims lost S$1.3 million

SINGAPORE — Thirteen people have been arrested in an island-wide operation for their suspected involvement in a series of rental scams that cost victims more than S$1.3 million in 480 cases, the police said on Tuesday (March 14).

Sixteen people purportedly received illicit proceeds in their bank accounts from rental scam cases.
Sixteen people purportedly received illicit proceeds in their bank accounts from rental scam cases.
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SINGAPORE — Thirteen people have been arrested in an island-wide operation for their suspected involvement in a series of rental scams that cost victims more than S$1.3 million in 480 cases, the police said on Tuesday (March 14).

“In these cases, scammers would impersonate legitimate property agents and ask victims to make payment to secure a rental unit, even before viewing the property,” they added.

Nine men and four women aged between 18 and 56 were arrested during the operation that was conducted between March 9 and 13.

Three other women, aged between 21 and 27, are also assisting in investigations.

Early investigations revealed that the 16 persons had purportedly received illicit proceeds in their bank accounts from these scam cases.

They allegedly allowed their bank accounts to be used to receive the proceeds and withdrew the funds, which were then handed to others in the syndicate for easy money, the police said.

Anyone assisting another to retain benefits from criminal conduct could be found guilty an offence under Section 51 of the Corruption, Drug Trafficking and Other Serious Offences (Confiscation of Benefits) Act, which carries a jail term of up to 10 years or a fine of up to S$500,000, or both.

Photo of the cash seized by the Anti-Scam Command during island-wide enforcement operations between March 9 and 13, 2023.

The police advised members of the public to be alert to scams.

“Always reject requests to allow (your) bank accounts to be used to receive and transfer money for others, to avoid becoming involved in money laundering activities,” they said.

Members of the public should enable security features such as a two-factor authentication for their bank accounts and Singpass (the national authentication system for e-services), as well as social media.

“Check for scam signs with official sources by verifying the legitimacy of a property listing.”

“This can be done by liaising with a property agent using only the agent’s phone number registered on Council for Estate Agencies' public register at www.cea.gov.sg/public-register,” the police added.

Members of the public may visit www.scamalert.sg or call the anti-scam helpline at 1800-722-6688 for more information on scams.

Anyone with information about scams may contact the police at 1800-255-0000 or submit information online to www.police.gov.sg/iwitness.

Related topics

rental scam crime police

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