Four arrested for e-commerce scams involving sale of face masks, other items
The scams exploited the use of e-commerce platforms and online channels such as Gumtree, Facebook Marketplace, Carousell, WhatsApp and Telegram.
SINGAPORE — The police arrested a woman and three men on Thursday (Feb 20), for suspected involvement in separate e-commerce scams involving the sale of face masks and other items.
The scams exploited the use of e-commerce platforms and online channels such as Gumtree, Facebook Marketplace, Carousell, WhatsApp and Telegram, the police said in a statement on Saturday.
Between Jan 2 and Feb 19, the police received many reports from people who said they had been cheated by online sellers after they paid for face masks, the statement said.
The sellers became uncontactable after payments were made via bank transfers.
Through investigations and working closely with banks and e-commerce platforms, police officers established the identities of the four suspects:
A 24-year-old woman who is suspected to be involved in about 40 cases of e-commerce scams amounting to more than S$11,000. Her victims had responded to an advertisement on face masks on Facebook Marketplace. They were then directed to communicate via WhatsApp to arrange payment in advance via bank transfers.
A 22-year-old man suspected to be involved in at least 10 cases of e-commerce scams amounting to more than S$8,000. His victims were directed to pay via bank transfers for face masks and concert tickets that were advertised on a Telegram group chat named “SG free MarketPlace” and on Carousell.
A 37-year-old man who is believed to be involved in at least 200 cases of e-commerce scams amounting to more than S$90,000. His victims had responded to advertisements on face masks, hand sanitisers and thermometers on Carousell. They were directed to make payment in advance via bank transfers.
A 15-year-old youth who is believed to be involved in more than five cases of e-commerce scams, cheating his victims of more than S$16,300. His victims had responded to advertisements on face masks, skin care products and hotel staycation packages on Gumtree and Carousell. They were also directed to make payment via bank transfers.
The first three suspects were charged in court on Friday with cheating, while the last will be charged on Monday.
The police added in the statement that they take a serious view of those who take advantage of the current Covid-19 situation to perpetrate crimes, and that all offenders will be dealt with sternly in accordance with the law
