SG records $6.7m impersonation scam losses in September

The scammers impersonate bank and government officials.

The Singapore Police Force (SPF) and Monetary Authority of Singapore (MAS) have warned the public of the rise in Government Official Impersonation Scams, recording 100 cases and $6.7m of losses in September.

The scammers impersonate officials from banks such as DBS, OCBC, UOB, or Standard Chartered Bank, telling victims that fraudulent transactions have been detected in their accounts.

When a victim denies any knowledge of these transactions, a second scammer impersonates a government official from SPF or MAS. They are dressed appropriately against a backdrop featuring the agency’s logo.

Scammers would also provide fake documents to lend credence to their deceit. They would then accuse the victim of criminal activities and ask for money.

Members of the public are encouraged to add security features to their bank accounts, check for signs of scams through the ScamShield helpline (1799), and report any suspicious activities to the authorities immediately