Scammer cheated victims of $80k by promising them Pokemon cards, used $20k to go shopping

A 27-year-old man has been arrested for allegedly conning victims out of around $80,000 after he advertised Pokemon cards for sale.

The police said that between June 29 and July 3, they received two reports from victims who had purportedly been cheated by an online seller who had advertised a preorder sale of Pokemon cards on Carousell.

After receiving a sum of about $37,600 via money transfer, the man did not fulfil the delivery of the Pokemon cards.

Through follow-up investigations, officers from Woodlands Police Division established the man's identity and arrested him on Tuesday (July 4).

"Preliminary investigations revealed that the man is believed to be involved in at least 10 other similar cases involving losses of about $80,000," police added.

"Watches, shoes and clothes worth about $20,000 bought by the man using the defrauded monies from various victims were seized as case exhibits."

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

The police also advised members of the public to take the following precautions when engaging online services:

1. If the price is too good to be true, it probably is. Only engage service providers from reputable sources.

2. Whenever possible, avoid making advance payments or direct bank transfers to the service providers.

3. Scammers may entice buyers to make deposits before the services are provided, and they may also use a local bank account or provide a copy of a NRIC/driver’s licence to make you believe that they are genuine sellers. Do not fall for it!

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.