Police Urge Public to Stay Vigilant Against Impersonation Scams
SINGAPORE: The Singapore Police Force (SPF) issued an alert on May 12, revealing that scammers posing as friends have swindled over S$2.7 million from at least 587 victims since 2022. The scam involves fraudsters impersonating familiar friends over phone calls, convincing victims to send money for supposed financial aid.
At least 43 individuals fell victim to this scam in May 2022 alone, losing a total of over S$177,000. The scammers typically contact victims using an unfamiliar number beginning with a “+” prefix, not disclosing their identity at first. Instead, they ask victims, “You can’t remember me?” or “Guess who I am?” leading victims to name a friend whose voice they believe matches the caller’s.
The fraudster then pretends to be the victim’s friend, claiming they had “lost their mobile phone” or “changed their contact number”. They ask victims to update their contact list and, a few days later, request financial assistance, citing legal or financial troubles. The scammers provide local bank account details or phone numbers for victims to transfer the funds.
Victims only realise they’ve been scammed after contacting their actual friends and discovering they had been impersonated.
Police Advisory
The SPF advises the public to be cautious, especially when receiving calls with a “+” prefix, which could indicate international calls, or when asked for unusual favours from individuals who seem to be family or friends. They recommend verifying the legitimacy of any requests through alternative contact methods, such as meeting in person or using previously known contact information.
For further assistance or to report suspicious activity, individuals can call the police hotline at 1800-255-0000 or visit www.police.gov.sg/iwitness. The public is also encouraged to visit www.scamalert.sg to learn more about various types of scams, or contact the anti-scam hotline at 1800-722-6688.
