At least 84 victims lose more than $177,000 to scammers posing as buyers on Carousell and Facebook

There has been a resurgence of a phishing scam involving fake buyers on Carousell and Facebook, the police said in a statement on Wednesday (June 28).

At least 84 victims have fallen prey to such scams since June 2023, with reported losses amounting to more than $177,000.

In this scam variant, scammers would pose as buyers and approach victims via in-app messages on Carousell or Facebook, expressing interest in the items that the victims have listed on the platforms.

After agreeing to the sale of the items, the victims would receive a malicious URL link or QR code via email, in-app messaging or WhatsApp on the pretext of receiving payment for the item or paying for courier services to facilitate delivery of the item.

After clicking on the links or scanning the QR codes, the victims would be redirected to a spoofed website to provide their Internet banking login credentials, credit card details and/or one-time passwords (OTP).

Victims would realise they had been scammed after discovering unauthorised transactions made from their bank accounts or cards.

The police advise members of the public to adopt the following precautionary measures:

• ADD - ScamShield App and set security features (e.g., enable two-factor (2FA) or multifactor authentication for banks and set transaction limits on Internet banking transactions, including PayNow/PayLah). Never disclose your personal or Internet banking details and OTP to anyone.

• CHECK - For scam signs and with official sources (e.g., visit www.scamalert.sg or call the Anti-Scam Helpline at 1800-722-6688). Do not click on dubious URL links and always verify the authenticity of URL links. If in doubt, always verify the authenticity of the information with the e-commerce platform directly.

• TELL - Authorities, family, and friends about scams. Report any fraudulent transactions to your bank immediately and report any suspicious user and fraudulent transaction from the online marketplace to the e-commerce platform.

If you have any information relating to such crimes or if you are in doubt, call the police hotline at 1800-255-0000 or submit it online at www.police.gov.sg/iwitness.

All information will be kept strictly confidential.

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

For more information on scams, visit www.scamalert.sg or call the anti-scam helpline at 1800-722-6688.

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