Woman caught using forged cashier’s orders of over $600k at bank, had given $80k to 'online friend'

A 51-year-old woman was arrested on Tuesday (Oct 15) after allegedly presenting two forged cashier’s orders of more than $600,000 in total at a bank in Singapore.

In a statement, the police said they were alerted to the case on Oct 10 and established the woman's identity through investigations.

According to preliminary investigation, she is believed to be a victim of an Internet love scam.

The police said: "She received the forged cashier’s orders via post from her online friend after she had agreed to deposit them into her bank account.

"The online friend had claimed that the cashier’s orders were payment from his business partner and needed help as he has no bank account in Singapore."

This was after the woman was found to have purportedly transferred around $80,000 to her online friend since 2018, as the latter had claimed to be in financial difficulties.

Another cashier’s order valued at $442,371, believed to be also forged, was found in her possession.

Investigations are ongoing.

The offence of abetment with conspiracy to forge a valuable security carries a jail term of up to 15 years and a fine.

"Internet love scams continue to be a crime of concern," added the police, who advised members of the public to adopt the following crime prevention measures:

• Be wary of strangers who befriend you online. They may not be who they claim to be.

• Do not receive and/or transfer money to or on behalf of such strangers you do not know well, especially if you have not met them in person.

• Meet all requests for money with caution. Be in control of your emotions knowing that it could be a scam. Call a trusted friend or talk to a relative before you act.

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

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