At least $16.3m lost since January to scammers impersonating ICA, Chinese government officials
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In some cases, the scammer would allege that victims were involved in spreading rumours or false information, or had made illegal purchases.
PHOTO: SINGAPORE POLICE FORCE
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SINGAPORE - At least 126 victims have lost a total of at least $16.3 million since the start of 2024 to a scam involving people impersonating government officials, the police warned.
In a statement on June 13, they cautioned about a recent uptick in a scam variant where scammers pretend to be China officials and accuse victims of their involvement in criminal activities.
In this variant, victims would receive unsolicited phone calls from a scammer impersonating government officials, such as Immigration and Checkpoints Authority (ICA) officials or bank officers.
The scammer would claim that the victims had applied for credit cards, bank accounts or phone numbers that were involved in criminal activities.
In some cases, the scammer would allege that the victims were involved in spreading rumours or false information, or had made illegal purchases.
If the victims deny any involvement, the scammer would transfer the call to another party pretending to be a government official from China, such as a police officer from the country. This second scammer would then claim to be able to help the victims prove their innocence.
The scammers would then direct the victims to transfer money to bank accounts under the guise of using the sums for bail or an investigation.
In some cases, the scammers would instruct the victims to meet and hand over cash to a person pretending to be an official, or to sign and receive fake documents.
The police reiterated that government officials, especially police officers, would never request members of the public over the phone or through text messages to make bank transfers; provide personal banking, Singpass or CPF-related information; click on links that lead to bank websites; or install third-party applications or software on their computer or mobile phone.
They said government officials from other countries do not have legal powers to ask members of the public here to divulge such information.
The public is reminded to contact the police if they meet a “Chinese police officer” in person in Singapore to pay money, or to receive and sign documents for bail or an investigation.
Those who have information relating to such crimes, or those who are in doubt, can call the police on 1800-255-0000, or 999 in the case of emergencies, or submit the information online at www.police.gov.sg/i-witness
