At least 25 people lost $38,000 in October due to parcel delivery scams: Police
Sign up now: Get ST's newsletters delivered to your inbox
Victims would receive messages containing phishing links that ask for additional payment for the delivery of their purchased items.
ST PHOTO: JOYCE FANG
Follow topic:
SINGAPORE - At least 25 people have lost no less than $38,000 in total to parcel delivery scams for the month of October, said the police on Wednesday.
They added that they have noticed a trend of such scams, where scammers would get the victim’s personal details by pretending to ask for delivery payment of supposedly purchased items.
“With the upcoming festive period and major online shopping events, members of the public are advised to be more cautious of such scams,” the police said, referring to popular events such as 11.11, 12.12, Black Friday and Cyber Monday sales.
Victims would receive text or e-mail messages containing phishing links that ask for additional payment for the delivery of their purchases.
These messages are designed to look as though they are sent by postal or e-commerce companies, such as Singapore Post.
Scam victims would receive text or e-mail messages that require additional payment for the delivery of purchased items.
PHOTO: SINGAPORE POLICE FORCE
Victims who click on these links are then led to fake websites that require them to provide their personal details, which could include banking credentials.
The victims would discover they have been scammed only when they notice unauthorised transactions made on their bank accounts or credit cards.
An example of a fake website, which is designed to look as though it is an official site.
PHOTO: SINGAPORE POLICE FORCE
The police advised members of the public to look out for signs of phishing and to never disclose personal details and one-time passwords to anyone.
Delivery fees are usually charged upfront when purchases are made, they added.
“SingPost will never send you a text message or e-mail requesting additional payment through an embedded link that demands that you give SingPost your personal or banking information,” said the police. “Any payment to SingPost can be done only via the SingPost mobile app, at SAM machines, or any post office.”
For more information on scams, members of the public can visit www.scamalert.sg
