10-second pause saved her from losing five-figure sum to a scam

She had been seconds away from transferring almost all the money in her bank account – amounting to five figures – to a scammer.

But the warning message on her bank app’s PayNow function made her “wake up” just in time.

“Be extra sure you are sending money to someone you trust,” the message said.

That’s when she realised it might be a scam, says Ms Julie, 32, who declined to share her surname. “Why would I be PayNow-ing money to a (police) officer? It doesn’t make sense.”

She had keyed in the mobile number of someone posing as a Criminal Investigation Department inspector from the Singapore Police Force (SPF).

“Senior Inspector Lau” had claimed that her funds would be kept in a secure account under the Monetary Authority of Singapore for seven to 14 days before being refunded to her.

Ms Julie had spent the past four hours on the phone with three scammers posing as bank staff and police officers.

The incident began with a call from an unknown number in March 2024. Ms Julie, who is a property agent, says that receiving calls from unknown numbers is not unusual in her line of work.

What unfolded was an elaborate hoax, complete with two fake court orders, that led her to believe she was under investigation for money laundering.

Despite subconsciously noticing red flags, such as being asked to take a “selfie”, Ms Julie was intimidated into compliance by the scammers’ tactics.

“Everything was so real,” she says. “(There) was so much built up fear and so much tension in me.”

After catching herself, Ms Julie hung up on “Senior Inspector Lau” and called her godfather, who confirmed her suspicions. She and her mother then went to the police station to report the incident.

Amplifying fear

The fear Ms Julie felt – along with confusion and pressure to comply – is a common tactic used in government officials impersonation scams.

Scammers pose as police officers, bank staff or even foreign law enforcement officers in these scams.

Victims are often told that they’re involved in a crime, presented with fake credentials and documentation, and asked to transfer money to a “safety account” – which could also be a cryptocurrency wallet – to help with the investigation.

“Scammers prey on our trust and tendency to comply with authority figures,” says Mr Jeffrey Chin, deputy director of SPF’s Scam Public Education Office. “They undermine our ability to process the situation by evoking fear and a sense of urgency to resolve the situation.”

They may even pretend to be sincere in wanting to help resolve the situation, he adds, tricking people to reciprocate in return.

Stay alert to stay safe

In Ms Julie’s case, the scammers exploited her trust in authority figures and created a high-stress situation, bombarding her with demands to comply so she could clear her name.

This kind of pressure forces one to make snap decisions to address an urgent situation, Mr Chin says.

What should you do? Disengage the situation to shield yourself from the scammer’s manipulation, he adds, and check the situation with someone you trust.

“Often, the scam narrative works because of the way our brains are wired,” says Mr Chin. “We are all susceptible to persuasion tactics.”

The best way to stay safe? Understand that everyone, no matter how savvy, can have their basic tendencies exploited – and stay alert.

“Individuals who recognise their susceptibility tend to be more vigilant and take more protective measures,” he says.

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Act against scams