Lately, the Singapore Police Force has issued alerts for some new scams. At least five individuals have fallen victim to fraudulent schemes involving Chinese New Year (CNY) goodies, resulting in a total loss of $167,000 since September 2023. Scammers posted these fraudulent advertisements on Facebook and Instagram.
According to the police, victims were found advertising CNY treats on their social media feeds. Upon clicking these ads, they were redirected to messaging platforms such as WhatsApp, Facebook, or Instagram to communicate with the sellers.
Victims were instructed to download an Android Package Kit (APK) through malicious links to place orders. The APK, designed for the Android operating system, granted the scammers access to victims’ devices. Once downloaded, victims were prompted to input their banking details for payment.
The scammers will be able to access the victim’s device and steal their banking credentials and passwords. Only later did the victims realize the scam when unauthorized transactions appeared in their bank accounts.
The police issued several crucial precautions for the public to combat such scams:
- Beware of Third-Party Apps: Avoid downloading apps from untrusted sources. Stick to official app stores to avoid falling prey to malicious software.
- Use Scam Protection Tools: Leverage tools like ScamShield and check with the Anti-Scam Helpline (1800-722-6688) or www.scamalert.sg for guidance on recognizing and avoiding scams.
- Report Suspicious Activity: Promptly report any suspicious content or advertisements on social media platforms like Facebook and Instagram. Initiate in-app blocking by reporting the associated numbers to WhatsApp.
- Secure Your Devices: Take immediate action if you suspect your phone is compromised. Turn on “flight mode,” disable Wi-Fi, run an antivirus scan, and check your accounts for unauthorized transactions.
- Report Fraudulent Transactions: Report any unauthorized transactions to your bank’s relevant authorities and lodge a police report promptly.
The public can contact the police hotline at 1800-255-0000 or submit information online at www.police.gov.sg/iwitness to report related crimes or seek assistance. All provided information will be kept strictly confidential. Stay alert, stay informed, and together, let’s fight scam! If in doubt or need urgent assistance, dial ‘999.’
