Victim and scammer, all in one?
A 42-year-old accounts manager in Singapore was arrested for allegedly misappropriating S$1.4 million from her company’s funds to pay her scammer.
She was charged in court on Saturday (October 12).
According to a police statement, the woman allegedly transferred the money to the scammer in the hopes of receiving huge amounts of cash and a considerable amount of valuables, unfortunately, the cash and the valuables never came.
Feeling frustrated, she lodged a police report on Oct. 10 regarding the matter.
However, further investigations revealed that she had misappropriated S$1,426,718 from company funds to pay the scammer, in her capacity as an accounts manager.
She was therefore arrested on charges of criminal breach of trust as a servant.
Under Section 408 of the penal code, criminal breach of trust as a servant is punishable with a jail term of up to 15 years, as well as a fine.
Be wary
Police authorities advise people to be wary of online advertisements that offer items for a very low price, of people who inquire about their bank accounts, their NRIC or their driver’s license. This is to avoid falling for e-commerce scams or any type of fraudulent activities.
The police also said that buyers should avoid making payments or deposits in advance, and that they should arrange for the money to be released to the seller only after they receive the item.
For scam-related advice, call the anti-scam helpline on 1800-722-6688 or visit www.scamalert.sg.
Those who wish to provide information on scams may call the police on 1800-255-0000, or send the information online at www.police.gov.sg/iwitness.