3 arrested over fake bulk order scams involving impersonation of SAF personnel
Since Sep 4, there have been at least five fake bulk order scam cases reported, with total losses of at least S$32,000.
There have been seven known cases involving fraudulent bulk orders made by individuals claiming to be SAF personnel, says MINDEF. (Images: Facebook/Muhammad Shazain Faiha Muslim food paradise, Kiki Florist, Breaditation Bakery)
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SINGAPORE: Three people aged between 16 and 31 were arrested for their suspected involvement in fake bulk order scams involving the impersonation of army personnel from the Singapore Armed Forces (SAF), the police said on Tuesday (Sep 16).
Since Sep 4, at least five cases have been reported, with total losses amounting to at least S$32,000 (US$25,000), read the news release.
The Ministry of Defence (MINDEF) said on Sunday that the SAF had observed a number of fake bulk orders made by people claiming to be its personnel. MINDEF said that it was aware of seven such cases and had made police reports.
Affected businesses included Breaditation Bakery, Kiki Florist and a hawker stall in Tiong Bahru Market, which had prepared 150 packets of chicken and mutton briyani before realising the order was a hoax.
Over Monday and Tuesday, police officers conducted raids near Middle Road, Woodlands Street 81 and Cantonment Road, which led to the arrest of the three suspects. Several electronic devices and prepaid cards were seized.
"Preliminary investigations revealed that the trio had allegedly acted on the instructions of a scam syndicate to facilitate the perpetration of this scam variant," the police said.
The 16-year-old male teenager and the 22-year-old woman had allegedly relinquished their bank accounts to the scam syndicate for monetary gains, while another 31-year-old man had assisted unknown individuals to subscribe to phone lines.
Some of these lines were found to be linked to the scam cases, said the police.
The woman will be charged in court on Wednesday for relinquishing her bank account. If found guilty, the offence of facilitating unauthorised access to computer material carries a jail term of up to two years' jail, a fine, or both, for a first conviction.
Investigations are ongoing into the involvement of the man and the teenager, police said.
The police warned that they take a serious stance against anyone involved in scams, and that perpetrators will be sternly dealt with in accordance with the law
"To avoid being an accomplice to crimes, members of the public should always reject requests by others to use your bank account or mobile lines as you will be held accountable if these are linked to crimes."
