Spike in on-line scams but overall crime price nonetheless low - AsiaOne

A surge in on-line commercial offences - exceptionally scams providing intercourse for credit score - has pushed up Singapore's crime cost.

Police records for last 12 months, launched the day before today, showed a four per cent upward thrust in ordinary crime with 33,608 situations, although the expense remained low.

just about all crime classes - together with violent or serious property offences, burglary, theft and unlicensed moneylending harassment - confirmed a lessen.

but industrial crimes went up by means of about forty seven per cent from 2014, with the largest start for cheating involving e-commerce, credit-for- sex and cyber web love scams.

In 2014, there have been simply sixty six credit- for-sex scams. last 12 months, there were 1,203 circumstances. Victims have been cheated out of $2.9 million, with one losing about $74,000 - the largest volume in a single case.

women strategy men on social media asking them to buy reward cards and credi t for items online, in return for sexual functions that they don't get. The victims have been aged between 14 and 69.

ladies had been the leading goal of internet love scams, cases of which rose from 198 in 2014 to 383. Victims surpassed over about $12 million, with round $528,000 being lost within the largest case.

In most cases, offenders befriend their victims on social media and charm their means into their lives, then cheat them of their cash. these centered had been aged 21 to seventy four, and the scams have been peculiarly performed with the aid of international syndicates.

in the meantime, e-commerce dishonest situations soared with the aid of about 30 per cent remaining yr.

be careful for these scams in Singapore

internet Love scam

Scammers, who always declare to be foreigners, target victims attempting to find love or friendship on dating sites or social networking sites. After befriending the victims and gaining their have confidence, scammers ask for financial aid for numerous explanations. as soon as the victims have transferred the money, the scammers typically cease contact.

Cyber Extortion

This scam customarily contains distant places-primarily based female scammers and native male victims. The girls befriend their victims and coax them into performing indecent acts in front of the webcam. The procedure is video-recorded and used to blackmail the victims for money.

money Mule

These criminals pose as lonely individuals in search of companionship and love. After gaining the money mule's have confidence, the criminal would ask him or her to open new bank accounts or use an latest bank account to get hold of cash.

varied price online buy rip-off

Scammers usually put up advertisements on online sites, selling sensible phones, capsules or different contraptions at captivating expenditures. Victims are instructed to make increase payments to have the items "delivered" to them. Of path the items on no account comes.

Lottery/lucky Draw rip-off

Victims obtain SMS or telephone name notifying them that they have got gained a lottery or fortunate draw. To claim the winnings, they need to make an upfront price, usually for "tax" or "administrative costs".

Impersonation rip-off

Scammers hack into quite a few electronic mail or fb money owed to tell the victim's contacts that the account holder has been stranded, robbed or hospitalised in a foreign country and ask victims to ship cash to aid.

Kidnap scam

Victims obtain calls claiming that their family have been kidnapped and are requested to switch cash as ransom through a remittance company.

Alipay scam

Scammers convince male victims to purchase Alipay buy cards in trade for a meet-up, date or the promise of sexual favours. They typically insist that victims buy the cards via AXS machines earlier than sending images of the receipts along with PIN numbers to declare the credits.

Apple scam

Victims are informed that their household will adventure misfortune and that it can be averted with a ritual. As part of the ritual, victims are advised to location cash or jewellery in a plastic bag (which is definitely crammed with apples, newspapers or rock sugar) which they can handiest open just a few days later, in any other case the ritual would not work.

vehicle apartment rip-off

regularly, scammers present to employ automobiles for low expenditures. Victims are requested to pay deposits or the condo fees earlier than making a choice on up the car. once they arrive to choose up the vehicle, they discover that the car condominium enterprise doesn't exist.

domestic / Room apartment scam

Culprits pretend to have a housing unit or room(s) to rent. They use excessive-power strategies to encourage their victims to pay the employ in enhance. frequently, the wrongdoer does not have the authority to appoint out the property. now and again, the property doesn't exist.

Inheritance rip-off

Victims obtain calls, letters or emails pointing out that they have been chosen to inherit a big fortune left in a dormant account. To have the money launched to them, victims are asked to switch funds to cover administrative charges akin to taxes and transfer costs.

Line scam

Scammers ship out messages to the contact checklist asking the victims' chums to purchase iTunes present cards on their behalf and promise to pay them returned. The victims' friends are then asked to send the redemption codes of the gift cards, over the app with the aid of taking a photograph of it.

online commute vacation rip-off

Some scammers claim to provide very low priced air tickets, motels and tour applications during the information superhighway. Victims who have interaction their services ultimately find that their flights, lodges or tour programs have been in no way booked.

Phishing Scams

once lured into these web sites, victims could be deceived into offering their very own counsel equivalent to person names, passwords and bank card details.

application improve scam

Victims get hold of a mobilephone call telling them that their computer systems were discovered to be experiencing complications and are in want of a security or utility update. To get the software and/or replace, they need to supply their utility consumer account identification and password to the caller. The scammers then use the bank card or bank account particulars to make fraudulent transfers.

www.scamalert.sg

web Love rip-off

Scammers, who continually claim to be foreigners, goal victims looking for love or friendship on courting sites or social networking websites. After befriending the victims and gaining their have faith, scammers ask for economic support for a lot of explanations. once the victims have transferred the money, the scammers customarily cease contact.

Cyber Extortion

This rip-off customarily involves foreign places-primarily based female scammers and native male victims. The ladies befriend their victims and coax them into performing indecent acts in entrance of the webcam. The procedure is video-recorded and used to blackmail the victims for money.

cash Mule

These criminals pose as lonely individuals looking for companionship and love. After gaining the money mule's believe, the criminal would ask him or her to open new financial institution bills or use an latest bank account to obtain cash.

diverse fee online buy rip-off

Scammers typically put up advertisements on on-line sites, promoting sensible phones, tablets or different gadgets at alluring fees. Victims are told to make strengthen funds to have the items "delivered" to them. Of direction the items never comes.

Lottery/lucky Draw rip-off

Victims get hold of SMS or mobilephone call notifying them that they have gained a lottery or lucky draw. To claim the winnings, they need to make an upfront price, continually for "tax" or "administrative fees".

Impersonation scam

Scammers hack into a lot of e-mail or fb bills to inform the sufferer's contacts that the account holder has been stranded, robbed or hospitalised in a foreign nation and ask victims to ship money to assist.

Kidnap scam

Victims get hold of calls claiming that their household were kidnapped and are asked to transfer cash as ransom via a remittance company.

Alipay rip-off

Scammers persuade male victims to purchase Alipay buy cards in exchange for a meet-up, date or the promise of sexual favours. They usually insist that victims purchase the cards through AXS machines before sending photos of the receipts along with PIN numbers to declare the credits.

Apple scam

Victims are instructed that their relatives will adventure misfortune and that it can also be avoided with a ritual. As part of the ritual, victims are informed to area cash or jewellery in a plastic bag (which is really full of apples, newspapers or rock sugar) which they could handiest open just a few days later, otherwise the ritual would no longer work.

automobile rental rip-off

regularly, scammers present to appoint motors for low prices. Victims are asked to pay deposits or the rental prices earlier than determining up the vehicle. once they arrive to decide on up the automobile, they discover that the vehicle rental business does not exist.

domestic / Room apartment scam

Culprits fake to have a housing unit or room(s) to appoint. They use high-pressure tactics to motivate their victims to pay the appoint in strengthen. frequently, the wrongdoer doesn't have the authority to hire out the property. every so often, the property doesn't exist.

Inheritance scam

Victims acquire calls, letters or emails pointing out that they have been chosen to inherit a big fortune left in a dormant account. To have the money launched to them, victims are requested to switch money to cowl administrative charges akin to taxes and switch expenses.

Line scam

Scammers ship out messages to the contact listing asking the victims' pals to purchase iTunes gift cards on their behalf and promise to pay them again. The victims' friends are then asked to send the redemption codes of the present cards, over the app with the aid of taking a photo of it.

on-line trip vacation rip-off

Some scammers claim to deliver very cheap air tickets, resorts and tour programs through the web. Victims who engage their functions at last locate that their flights, inns or tour packages had been on no account booked.

Phishing Scams

as soon as lured into these web sites, victims can be deceived into featuring their personal counsel comparable to consumer names, passwords and bank card particulars.

application upgrade rip-off

Victims receive a telephone call telling them that their computers were found to be experiencing complications and are in need of a safety or application replace. To get the utility and/or replace, they must deliver their software consumer account identity and password to the caller. The scammers then use the credit card or checking account particulars to make fraudulent transfers.

www.scamalert.sg

Mr David bite, director of the police's commercial Affairs department, referred to the drive works intently with foreign legislation enforcement agencies and Interpol to crack down on international syndicates. He noted: "Police will additionally investigate and prosecute native residents who're discovered to be perpetrating or aiding foreign syndicates of their criminal actions."

He referred to that Singapore is a goal because of its "superb infrastructure for the cyber web", and entreated the general public to take care online.

"The reality is that we do not know who you're transacting with on the different conclusion of the cyber web," he observed. "You may as well be transacting with a man in Novena, or the entire method in Nigeria, for all you comprehend.

"individuals are lulled into a way of complacency as a result of we're protected on our streets, but they don't recognize that the criminals use this experience of defense to scam us."

In December, for ty three individuals of a syndicate have been arrested in China after tricking Singaporean guys into buying sexual features that they by no means bought. Mr bite referred to that in here month, there changed into a sixty eight per cent dip in such scams.

"Sixty-eight per cent is rather massive but no longer a complete success," he noted. " there is a good deal of difficulty in intervening at every stage of the transaction. To cease the crime... it will take a little bit of time, education and enforcement."

Police have warned the public of scams through roadshows, tv ads and a website. This has had some success, with americans stopping their spouse and children from sending money to suspicious operators.

consultants say victims of on-line love or intercourse scams will also be lonely, or young adults exploring sexual concerns.

Mr Chong Ee Jay, supervisor of tou ch Cyber health, a voluntary welfare group that teaches internet safety, talked about: "individuals believe conversing online may still be protected, nevertheless it's very convenient for the perpetrators to disguise their actual intentions at the back of expertise."

Psychologist Daniel Koh cited: "it works on speedy gratification, so people are greater impulsive to pay or keep on... it's also extra targeted - individuals who are searching for certain web sites need certain things."

consultant psychiatrist Adrian Wang believes there may well be victims who have not come ahead.

"Victims of such scams are emotionally vulnerable and, to a point, additionally naive and never internet savvy. After being scammed, they are doubtless too embarrassed to document the crime.

"i wouldn't be stunned if the precise numbers are higher."

information su perhighway love rip-off

A 51-yr-ancient retiree thought she had made her first foreign places pal when a man despatched her a chum request on fb.

He claimed he became born within the united states but residing in Australia, and they chatted for 2 months on social media.

When her birthday came along, he instructed her that he had mailed her a gift - a branded bag.

"I did not suspect anything at first," talked about the mother of two, who declined to be named. "It became most effective after I all started giving money that I did. He advised me it (the bag) changed into on the Customs and i needed to supply cash to an agent to get it."

here is a typical tactic used via scammers who goal victims searching for love or friendship on-line. Some declare to be sending parcels containing helpful items equivalent to branded watches or baggage.

The sufferer soon felt anything changed into amiss, suspecting the "agent" she known as on a Singapore quantity was not basically within the nation.

"The dial tone seemed like i was calling someone in Malaysia," she advised The Straits times.

She lost round $8,000 in complete in a few month and at last made a police file in August closing 12 months. "I have no idea how he found me. I felt that he become a pal and we just chatted on-line. I gave him the money but beforehand, I have not seen any bag."

e-commerce

A 30-year-old engineer concept he became getting an excellent deal on a Samsung cell phone when he made a suggestion on on-line classifieds web site Gumtree ultimate October.

The mobilephone charge "round $600" and he contacted its seller on the equal day to buy it.

He turned into told to transfer the money to a bank account, which he did directly.

but the phone on no account arrived.

Sensing that something became amiss, the person, who declined to be named, contacted the vendor once more.

This time, he was told, the terms and prerequisi tes had modified - he had to purchase as a minimum two phones to get it at the cost cited.

This turned into when he requested for a refund, which became no longer given.

just a few days later, the person said the incident to the police.

He become one in all over 2,a hundred americans who fell victim to scams involving e-commerce final year.

Such situations rose by means of round 30 per cent from 2014 with victims cheated out of a complete of about $1.76 million.

Victims are sometimes advised to make enhance payment on an merchandise it really is attractively priced.

now and again, they are requested to make further funds for customs tasks, birth expenses and taxes before they acquire their purchases - which on no account arrive.

credit for sex

He chanced upon her profile on facebook and they started speaking on instant messaging app WeChat.

not lengthy after, she offered him intercourse for $100.

The 23-12 months-ancient ki tchen assistant, who declined to be named, arranged to meet the girl final November.

earlier than their meeting, she told him to make an improve payment of 500 yuan (S$106) by using purchasing Alipay credit, which he did on an AXS desktop.

devoid of providing what she had promised, she then requested a different three,000 yuan price of Alipay credits.

He idea that he would then get to have sex together with her, but a man called him, asking him to pay a "refundable" sum of 5,000 yuan to make sure that the customer was no longer with the police.

He obliged however on no account obtained to satisfy the lady.

When a second man claiming to be the lady's boss known as and asked for $1,000, he ultimately determined to spoil off communications and file a police document.

He has no longer heard from the girl when you consider that.

the man is one in every of more than 1,200 people who fell victim to credit score-for-sex scams final 12 months.

many of the victims have been aged between 20 and 39.

counsel from police on keeping off scams

exercise warning when you come throughout unrealistic bargains.

all the time investigate the purchaser's or seller's song listing, and purchase best from official agents.

Be wary of strangers who befriend you on-line. They may additionally now not be who they declare to be.

Be wary of presents for escort, therapeutic massage and sexual services on social media. think twice earlier than making price using on-line credit.

don't send cash to or purchase anything from anyone you've got not ever met.

limyihan@sph.com.sg

byseow@sph.com.sg

this article turned into first posted on Feb 13, 2016. Get a replica of The Straits instances or go to straitstimes.com for extra studies.

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