SGH warns of WhatsApp messages impersonating senior management in ‘gift card purchase’ scam
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A scam WhatsApp message received by an SGH staff member, purportedly from the hospital's senior management.
PHOTO: SGH/FACEBOOK
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SINGAPORE – Scammers have been posing as senior management from Singapore General Hospital (SGH) in a bid to get people to buy gift cards on their behalf.
A screengrab on SGH’s Facebook post on Thursday showed a scam WhatsApp message requesting the recipient to purchase gift cards on behalf of the hospital’s senior management.
The Straits Times understands that the recipient is an SGH staff member.
“It has been brought to our attention that fake messages, (purportedly) from SGH senior management, requesting to purchase gift cards on their behalf are circulating on WhatsApp,” said SGH’s Facebook post.
“SGH would like to emphasise that our senior management will never make such requests or solicit any sales.”
The Facebook post also highlighted these signs to identify a fake message:
It is from an overseas number with the “+” prefix.
There is usually a sense of urgency requesting one to “act now”.
The scammer will use a photo of SGH senior management as the profile picture.
SGH added that a police report has been made. It also urged people to stay vigilant and not fall prey to such scams.
People who have information relating to such crimes may call the police hotline on 1800-255-0000, or submit it at www.police.gov.sg/iwitness
Visit scamalert.sg
