SINGAPORE: A 42-year-old woman has been arrested on suspicion of multiple rental fraud cases and will be charged in court today (28 July).
According to the police, the arrest was made on Wednesday, 26th July, following numerous reports from victims who claimed to have fallen victim to the rental scam between 10th and 24th July. The fraudster reportedly used popular online platforms, Facebook and Carousell, to post enticing advertisements for a room rental located at Ang Mo Kio Avenue 1.
The suspect’s modus operandi involved luring potential victims to view the property, after which they expressed their intention to rent the room. Subsequently, the supposed landlord requested a deposit from the hopeful tenants to secure the rental agreement.
However, once the deposit was handed over, the woman allegedly cancelled the agreement abruptly and failed to return the deposit within a reasonable timeframe, leaving the victims in financial distress.
Preliminary investigations by law enforcement revealed that the suspect had been involved in at least eight similar rental fraud cases, and the total sum of money fraudulently obtained amounted to more than $7,000.
If convicted of the charges of fraud, the woman could face severe penalties, including up to ten years of imprisonment and a substantial fine.
The police have advised the public to exercise caution while engaging in online transactions and encouraged individuals to verify the legitimacy of rental listings thoroughly. Potential renters are urged to conduct due diligence, such as requesting additional documentation and cross-referencing the landlord’s identity through official channels, before committing to any monetary transactions.
Rental scams have been a recurring issue, and this case serves as a reminder of the importance of vigilance and awareness when navigating the digital realm for property transactions.