Crime Advisory - "Police Bail" Phone Scam

From Singapore Police Force Fan Page:

The Police would like to remind the public to be vigilant against scams as criminals are coming up with more innovative ways to cheat unsuspecting victims. Police have received reports on the “police bail” phone scam recently.

In this scam, the victims received calls purportedly from China, with the “+86”country code. The caller would claim to be the victim’s friend and allege that he had been arrested by police while in China. The scammer would then ask the victim to transfer a sum of money to pay the bail or fines for his release. Victims who acceded to the scammer’s request would eventually discover that it was a scam after establishing contact with their friends. Thus far, victims have transferred sums ranging from $800 to $16,000 to a bank account in China.

Police would like to remind members of public to be vigilant against such scams, and to adopt the following crime prevention measures:

- Inform the Police immediately if anyone attempts to extort or ask money from you;

- Be wary of messages or calls from unknown people who want to befriend you;

- Do not remit or transfer money to people whom you do not know well enough. The criminal may spend months building rapport with you before asking for money;

- Do not give personal details about yourself or friends when interacting with unknown persons over the phone; and

- If you receive any message or call from anyone claiming he/she is in some kind of trouble overseas and need you to urgently send money over, you should report the matter to Police and not transfer the money.

If you have any information related to this crime, do not hesitate to call the Police hotline at 1800-255 0000 or 999 for urgent Police assistance.