55 suspects aged between 18 and 71 investigated for scams involving over $1.8 million

Thirty men and 25 women, believed to be involved in 77 scams and commercial crime-related cases, were hauled up to assist with investigations following a five-day police operation.

The operation was conducted between July 30 and Aug 3 by Bedok Police Division.

According to a police news release, the suspects, aged from 18 to 71, are being investigated for cheating.

It is understood that the suspects include Singaporeans, Malaysians, Filipinos and Indians, reported The Straits Times.

The cases were reported in the Pasir Ris, Tampines and Bedok estates. They involved transactions exceeding a total of $1.8 million, added the police.

The scams included those involving e-commerce, such as where victims responded to advertisements on Carousell but did not receive their items after payment.

There were also loan scams, where victims replied to advertisements promising certain interest rates on Facebook.

Other cases include commercial crime-related ones, where firms lodged reports against staff for criminal breach of trust.

Assistant Commissioner Tan Tin Wee, Commander of Bedok Police Division said: "I would like to commend the officers for the hard work in the identification and rounding up of the suspects in all these scam cases.

"Police take a serious view against any person who may be involved in scams, and those found perpetrating scams will be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law."

Members of the public are advised to take these precautions to avoid being scammed:

1. Do not share your personal information such as your identification number, bank account number, One-Time Passwords, or SMS-verification codes with anyone. Your personal information may be abused by scammers.
    

2. Bear in mind that the party you are dealing with online is a stranger. Before performing a transaction, find out how the online site safeguards your interest or can help you resolve disputes;
    

3. Buy goods from authorised dealers. If advanced payments are required, use shopping platforms that provide arrangements to only release your payment to the seller upon your receipt of the item; and
    

4. Be mindful that although scammers may provide a copy of an Identification Card or Driver’s licence to gain your trust, it may not necessarily belong to the person communicating with you online.
    

5. To avoid being an accomplice to crimes, members of the public should always reject requests by others to use your bank account or handphone lines as you will be held accountable if there are illegal transactions found in the accounts.

To find out more about scams, the public can go to scamalert.sg or call the Anti-Scam Hotline on 1800-722-6688.