2 men arrested for hotel booking scams, linked to at least 10 other cases involving losses of $3k

Two men, aged 28 and 43, were arrested on Tuesday (Mar 21) for their suspected involvement in separate cases of cheating involving hotel room bookings.

The police said that in February and March 2023, they received two separate reports of cheating related to hotel room bookings.

In both the reports, the victims had responded to listings on Carousell by unknown sellers offering hotel room bookings.

After deciding on the room types and length of stay, the victims transferred a sum of $270 and $430 each to the sellers' bank accounts as a deposit.

Upon receipt of the deposit, both sellers became uncontactable.

Through follow-up investigations, officers from Woodlands Police Division established the identity of the sellers for both cases and arrested them.

"Preliminary investigations reveal that both men are believed to be involved in at least 10 other cases of cheating related to hotel scams, involving losses of at least $3,000," said the police.

The men will be charged in court on Thursday with cheating, which carries a jail term of up to 10 years and a fine.

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

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

If you require urgent police assistance, please dial '999'.