Anyone can be a victim: Easy to fall prey to scams

Police say scams involving e-commerce, loans and the impersonation of officials have led to the overall crime rate rising, and experts say anyone can be a victim.

Police said scams involving e-commerce, loans and crooks impersonating "China officials" are to blame for the overall crime rate rising by 3.2 per cent to 16,460 cases in the first six months of this year. PHOTO: AFP
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When it comes to scams and their victims, lawyers have handled a litany of complaints that serve as cautionary tales.

There was the insurance agent who invested $450,000, hoping to double his money, and ignored alarm bells even when the investment executive told him Singapore's finance minister would personally hand him a cheque. It was a scam.

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A version of this article appeared in the print edition of The Straits Times on September 04, 2018, with the headline Anyone can be a victim: Easy to fall prey to scams. Subscribe