SINGAPORE - Don't be tricked by scammers posing as government officials, police said in an advisory issued on Friday.

There were 37 reports made about persons impersonating government officials between January and September this year, police said. The total amount cheated so far this year is about $81,000.

The impersonators claimed to be officials from the Immigration and Checkpoints Authority, the Singapore Police Force or the Courts.

They asked for money transfers or credit card details for the purposes of settling outstanding offences.

The Police said that government agencies do not call members of the public to request for any money transfers or credit card details.

If you receive such calls, you can take the following steps:

* Ignore the calls;

* Do not transfer any money to the caller, either via remittance agencies, banks or any other means; and

* Report the case to the police.

If you have any information related to such crimes, please call the police hotline 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, the police said.