SINGAPORE – A 33-year-old man has been arrested for his suspected involvement in online purchase scams, the police announced in a news release on Friday (June 3).
Police said it had received several reports since last Saturday (May 28) from victims allegedly cheated by a man who had offered supermarket vouchers and iTunes gift cards for sale at a discounted price.
He could not be contacted after the payments were made by the victims.
The suspect was arrested along Beo Crescent on Thursday (June 2) after he was identified through extensive investigations by officers from Tanglin Division.
If found guilty of cheating, he faces a jail term of up to 10 years and a fine.
To avoid falling victim to online purchase scams, members of the public are advised to adopt the following measures:
- Make your online purchases only from reputable vendors;
- If advanced payments are necessary, only transact with people you know and trust;
- Check that the person or company you are buying from is physically located where they claim to be;
- Check the company or seller’s track record. Make enquiries with the clients and customers about the service they received from the seller;
- Never give your bank account numbers, credit card numbers and personal information to anyone you do not know or have not checked out;
- Do not provide any information that is not necessary to make the purchase;
- Be mindful that scammers may use a local bank account for the transaction to enhance their credibility. The owner of the bank account may not be the person communicating with you online.