17-year-old teen investigated for series of e-commerce scams

A 17-year-old teenager is being investigated for his suspected involvement in a series of e-commerce scams, the police said in a statement on Nov 19.

The police received multiple reports between June and October this year from victims who were purportedly cheated by an online seller who had advertised the sale of online booster accounts for an online game.

After expressing their interest to purchase the booster account, victims were told to make payment via PayNow.

After making payment, the seller became uncontactable.

Officers established the identity of the teenager on Nov 16.

Preliminary investigations revealed that the teenager is believed to be involved in at least four cases of online cheating.

Investigations are ongoing.

The offence of cheating carries a jail term of up to 10 years and a fine.

For more information on scams, members of the public can visit www.scamalert.sg or call the Anti-Scam hotline at 1800-722-6688.

Anyone with information related to such scams may call the police hotline at 1800-255-0000, or submit information online at www.police.gov.sg/iwitness.