Mobile phone conman offered shoppers huge discounts, then disappeared with cash

A 56-year-old male was arrested on Thursday for five cases of alleged cheating of mobile phones.

The suspect would target shoppers browsing mobile phones in various parts of Singapore by pretending to be a telco employee. Claiming that he could get them substantial discounts off their phone purchases, he would then lead them to Comcentre at Exeter Road, where a Singtel outlet is located.

After receiving cash from the unsuspecting shoppers there, the suspect would then disappear. The police arrested the suspect at a Geylang coffeeshop after receiving reports of cheating cases since December last year.

In a statement on Friday, the police urged others who have fallen victim to the scam to lodge a police report. The statement added that the public is advised not to be tempted by offers of merchandise at huge discounts, especially if the offer is from a dubious source.

Join ST's WhatsApp Channel and get the latest news and must-reads.