SINGAPORE: The police have issued a stark warning to residents as recruitment scams continue to rise, leaving a trail of financial devastation in their wake. Since the start of the year, at least 6,600 Singaporeans have fallen prey to these scams, leading to collective losses of at least S$96.8 million.
In a press statement, the Singapore Police Force revealed that these scams typically unfold through messaging apps like WhatsApp and Telegram. Scammers employ cunning tactics, luring victims with promises of easy money by participating in surveys, completing questionnaires, or simply liking tasks on social media.
The modus operandi involves the victim receiving a small commission after they’ve completed the initial task. This initial success serves to build trust between the scammer and the victim, setting the stage for further deception.
Once the victim receives their first commission, the scammer continues to engage them through WhatsApp or Telegram, assigning them more tasks. These tasks often revolve around improving product ratings for online merchants, a seemingly innocuous endeavour. However, the sinister twist comes when the victim is asked to create an account on a fraudulent website and transfer funds to a bank account provided by the scammer.
In some instances, victims are coerced into advancing substantial sums of money under various pretexts. The victims later discover the shocking reality that they’ve been deceived when they cannot withdraw the promised commission or establish contact with the scammer.
The police have advised citizens to remain vigilant and cautious when dealing with online opportunities that promise easy money. Stressing the importance of verifying the legitimacy of websites and individuals involved in such offers, they urge citizens to refrain from transferring funds to unknown accounts and promptly report any suspicious activity.
These recruitment scams serve as a sombre reminder of the ever-evolving tactics used by cybercriminals to exploit unsuspecting victims. It remains crucial for individuals to exercise caution and scepticism when encountering lucrative online opportunities that seem too good to be true.