Saturday, June 14, 2014

MOM Officer Phone Scam

Received a call from “MOM” officers? Beware it might be a scam!

Police have received several reports of victims who received phone calls from scammers claiming to be officers from Ministry of Manpower (MOM).

The scammers would call the victims using a phone number similar to the MOM Contact Centre’s hotline (6438 5122) and inform them about an error in their personal particulars. They were then told to transfer money to an account to settle issues related to their stay in Singapore or work pass application.
MOM has clarified that such calls are not authentic. MOM will not call members of the public to request for any fund transfers. Members of the public are reminded to exercise vigilance and be wary of such phone calls.

If you receive such calls, you should adopt these crime prevention measures:
• Ignore such calls;
• Do not transfer any money to the caller, either via remittance agencies, banks or any other means; and
• Call the Police immediately at ‘999’ to report the case.

- https://www.facebook.com/singaporepoliceforce

Saturday, June 7, 2014

Fundraising Scam for MH370

Families of flight M370 passengers say that unscrupulous parties are cashing in on the tragedy of the missing jet, adding they found out that two charity dinners were held in April without their knowledge, purportedly to raise funds for them.

They have lodged a police report saying that a non-governmental organisation called Malaysia, China and Indonesia (MCI) Muslim Cultural and Econtrade organised the dinners, one in a hotel in Seremban, Negri Sembilan on April 21, and another in a five-star hotel in Seri Kembangan three days later.

They said they were not consulted, informed or had consent sought by the organisation on the events and were shocked to find out that such events were held in their honour without their knowledge.

In a police report lodged in Petaling Jaya on Thursday, a family member of a MH370 passenger said they found out about the events through an article published online.

The families claimed in the report that about 500 seats at the events were open for booking priced between RM1,500 and RM10,000 while table reservations were priced between RM2,000 and RM15,000.

They also claimed that the NGO had provided a bank account number for the public to make their donations.

In the report posted on the MH370 Families Facebook page, the families said they were not aware of such events.

“We lodged the police report to let the public know that we never received any money collected during the dinners nor were we aware of such events being held. We are worried that people will think the money was distributed to us,” they said.

They also said the report was made as the person whom they had contacted – one Datuk Andrew Lim – to seek clarification on the events had lodged a police report, accusing them of defamation.

Lim, when contacted, told The Malaysian Insider that the callers claiming to be families of M370 passengers had called him and threatened him.

“Two different persons called me. They asked about the dinners and were very rude. I do not know if they were really the family members as claimed. I told them I was not the organiser. I was just a sponsor and told them to write in to MCI for further clarification but they refused to listen to me,” said Lim.

“They threatened me and said I had better run fast before they caught me. I have not done anything wrong. That is why I lodged a police report on Thursday to protect my reputation as a businessman and to prove that I did not do anything wrong,” he added.

Lim, a member of MCI Muslim Cultural and Econtrade, admitted attending both functions in Seremban and Seri Kembangan but only as a sponsor for the cultural performances by dancers from China. The performances were part of the events.

“Yes, I was at both functions held in Seremban and Seri Kembangan but the dinners did not once mention raising funds for M370 families. Those who attended were aware of what the functions were about,” said Lim.

He said the function in Seremban was more of a cultural event organised by the state government.

“I was there to take care of the welfare of the cultural dancers brought in from China for the event. No funds were collected for any purpose during the function.”

Lim said the other event in Seri Kembangan which was attended by about 500 people, was a dinner to forge ties between Muslims in China, Malaysia and Indonesia.

“At that event, there was supposed to be a bidding but it did not go well. No money was collected.”

When asked about the article published online on the MCI plan to hold charity dinners to raise funds for the families, Lim said that was the initial intention but it was dropped later.

Lim also said he had submitted MCI’s bank statement to the police.

“I have nothing to hide,” he added.

He said MCI vice-chairman Datuk Seri Abdul Shukor Mohsin was aware of the calls he received.

Serdang ACP Razimi Ahmad confirmed that police received both reports. – June 7, 2014.

- Source: https://my.news.yahoo.com/mh370-kin-suspicious-fundraisers-cashing-plane-mystery-002053491.html

Thursday, June 5, 2014

SPF's Appeal For Information – Cheating

From Singapore Police Force Facebook page:



‪#‎sgpoliceappeal‬

Police are appealing for information on the person shown in the photograph to assist with investigations into a series of credit card fraud cases committed at various retail outlets in Singapore between 15 February 2014 and 17 March 2014.

The person is believed to be a male Chinese in his 30s, slim, and about 1.70m tall. He was wearing a black shirt and blue jeans.

Anyone with information is requested to call the Police Hotline at 1800-255-0000. Information can also be submitted online at www.spf.gov.sg/CrimeStopper. All information will be kept strictly confidential.

Wednesday, May 28, 2014

Phone Kidnapping Scam Warning from SPF

Despite the frequent warning of such scam, there are still victims falling to such scams out of anxiety for family member.



Members of public are advised to be aware of kidnap scams, which have surfaced, and to adopt the following measures:

• Call ‘999’ immediately when you receive such calls;
• Remain calm and contact your loved one to confirm his or her safety; and
• Do not remit any money.

Source: https://www.facebook.com/singaporepoliceforce

Friday, May 23, 2014

Rental scam in Tampines Singapore

Dear Sir/Madam,

This is my true story for which conclusion is yet to come. Four family put advt on Gumtree seeking flat on rent. In response one HDB owner from tampines contacted potential tenants and has signed tenancy agreement with all including me almost at same time in period of one month. On last minute he canceled the deal with everyone with one reason or another and holds back most of good faith advance given to him(one month rent and one month deposit). Till now I have four cases in my knowledge with whom he has done it. He keep on making some excuse not to return money. He is still contacting potential tenants.

Three victims has filed the police report. Police has asked us to seek SCT help. We all three went to SCT and SCT has ordered him to return the money back in three cases.
From my limited knowledge of local law, as part of enforcement of order only movable property can be seized for which we are not aware what are his movable properties are. I request my all fellow stompers to be aware and cautious in such case. It was our hard earned money for which we are still exploring all possible avenue to get it back. Money is just one part in such case but kind of frustration and mental trauma ( feeling to get cheated) is another part.

If you happen to encounter such scam in Tampines, do send us an email to get connected with the writer.

Wednesday, May 14, 2014

www.streetdeal.sg Premium Membership Scam

"I was charged $88 on my credit card by Streetdeal.sg so I called up my bank to check what transaction this was as I did not recall having made any purchases recently on their website. Was informed by the bank that this is the membership fee that they have imposed on all their "premium" members which I never knew I was. Did not receive any notification from Streetdeal that they would be charging me. They just went ahead and did it. Emailed them to request for a refund as I had no intention of being their premium member, and this was their reply:"

Greetings from StreetDeal.

As per the company's discretion, the membership has been revised and there has been a change in the membership fee effecting from 1st January 2014.

As such, all our Premium customers are changed from the annual membership fee to the quarterly membership fee.

Thus, you are charged for the new quarterly membership fee of $88.

In the meantime if you should have any inquires please do not hesitate to contact us.

Thank you,

Theepa Magantharan | Customer Service Executive | StreetDeal Singapore Pte Ltd

W: www.streetdeal.sg | E: info@streetdeal.sg

T: +65 6361 0888 | F: +65 6535 7882

305 Alexandra Road | #05-15 Vantage Automotive Centre | Singapore 159942

The email stated that this $88 is a QUARTERLY fee. I have since cancelled my card and requested my bank to do a chargeback. Googled online and realised that many people have been cheated already, so want to spread this to as many people as possible. In addition, I have been leaving comments on their Facebook page for them to return me my money but they have been deleting my comments and blocking me from seeing others' comments.


As reported in:
http://therealsingapore.com/content/streetdealsg-still-scamming-customers-charging-99-their-credit-card
https://www.facebook.com/StreetdealSingaporeConsumersInterest
https://sg.news.yahoo.com/customers-complain-about-streetdeal-singapore-%E2%80%98trap%E2%80%99--company-responds-093640798.html

Tuesday, March 11, 2014

Impersonation through facebook accounts

Police would like to remind the public to be vigilant against scammers who gained unauthorized access into Facebook accounts and impersonate the real account holders to ask their Facebook friends for loans or financial assistance to tide over unfortunate events. From January to February 2014, at least 6 cases had been reported of which more than $19 000 had been cheated. Members of public are reminded to adopt the following crime prevention measures to avoid falling victim to such scams:

i. Never transfer/remit money or give credit card or online account details before checking on the authenticity of the request and recipient.

ii. Alert the account holder when you receive messages of such nature. This will also assist you to check as to whether he/she is indeed facing difficulties.

iii. If you are unable to contact the account holder, check with his family members or other friends on his whereabouts before providing any form of assistance.

If you have any information related to this crime, please call the Police hotline at 1800-255 0000 or dial 999 for urgent Police assistance. Information can also be submitted online at www.spf.gov.sg/CrimeStopper. All information will be kept strictly confidential.

http://www.spf.gov.sg/CrimeStopper