How To Protect Yourself From Police Impersonation Scams

SINGAPORE—In a shocking turn of events, a 70-year-old retiree fell victim to a cunning scam that cost her a staggering $200,000. Despite her years of worldly experience, fraudsters posing as foreign police officers ensnared her.

The scammers preyed on her deep-seated fears, particularly an irrational dread of being convicted for a crime she never committed. Incredibly, she had never even set foot in the country from which the scammers claimed to hail. Yet, the mere thought of facing legal repercussions overseas consumed her with anxiety.

Convinced that her credit card had been misused, she took drastic action. Trusting the fabricated authority of these so-called officers, she transferred her life savings to them for “safe-keeping.” It’s astounding that anyone would believe a government agency would ever offer such a service.

This incident serves as a stark reminder that even the most intelligent individuals can fall prey to outrageous scams. It highlights the urgent need for continued public education on scammers’ ever-evolving tactics, as many remain blissfully unaware of the dangers lurking in their midst.

In Singapore, the alarming trend of scams continued unabated in 2023, with a staggering 46,000 cases reported. This grim statistic has only intensified, with the first half of 2024 already witnessing an unprecedented high of 26,587 incidents. Clearly, there appears to be no respite from this troubling reality.

One might ponder why such easily avoidable scams continue to ensnare countless victims. A significant factor seems to be the diminishing interest in news and vital government communications. Many individuals have turned their backs on informative content in favour of the allure of entertainment found on social media platforms, leaving them vulnerable to deception.

This raises an unsettling question: How can it be that even seemingly well-educated people fall prey to these age-old schemes despite the plethora of warnings issued by authorities on numerous occasions?

Take, for example, the notorious investigation scams that have made headlines time and again. These scams often feature a familiar tactic: a so-called “foreign official” calling unsuspecting victims in Singapore. However, anyone aware of the facts would recognize that no legitimate overseas agency has the authority to conduct investigations in another country by simply placing a phone call.

Furthermore, the Singapore Police have consistently reiterated that they do not conduct police business over the phone or via social media channels. It is crucial to remember that the police will never contact you to verify personal information or banking details—let alone request that you transfer money.

To underscore the importance of vigilance, the Financial Industry Disputes Resolution Centre (Fidrec) has highlighted two alarming cases in its 2024 annual report. These cases serve as stark reminders that the best defence against scams is prevention.

Consider the case of a retiree who fell victim to a cunning fraudster. One day, she received an unexpected phone call from someone claiming to be a police officer from Beijing. The impersonator informed her that her credit card had been misused in China and threatened her with arrest if she didn’t comply with his demands.

Overwhelmed by fear at the thought of being arrested, the woman desperately sought a way to prove her innocence. The scammer then told her that he would connect her with “the Singapore Police Force” for further assistance. To heighten her anxiety, he insisted she keep their conversation confidential, warning her that her “life would be in danger” if the criminals behind the scam discovered her communication with him.

This troubling narrative serves as a sobering reminder of how easily trust can be exploited and how crucial it is for individuals to remain informed and sceptical. In an age where information is at our fingertips, neglecting to stay updated can lead to dire consequences.

Rather than questioning the situation, she complied with the second scammer’s directive to move her funds into a “safety account” established at one of her banks. The scammer subsequently provided her with a digital document featuring the bank’s letterhead, her account number, and her name as the account holder.

As a result, she executed multiple transfers amounting to $200,000 from her own account to this so-called “safety account.” Throughout this process, she failed to inquire about the necessity of these actions or how an account could be considered hers without her signature. She also neglected to consult her bank regarding the alleged unauthorized use of her card.

The harsh reality began to sink in when, after a week of unanswered calls to the “police” regarding her funds, she shared her concerns with her daughter. Her daughter, familiar with similar incidents from news articles, quickly warned her that she might have fallen victim to a scam.

Seeking assistance, the retiree turned to her bank. When that proved fruitless, she escalated the matter by filing a claim with Fidrec.

During mediation, she acknowledged that she had acted under duress from the scammers and had transferred money online, believing it was going into her own account. However, the bank clarified that the transfers were made willingly and that its procedures were followed correctly.

Additionally, the bank had sent alerts asking if she comprehended the nature of the transactions, but she chose to continue regardless. Nonetheless, the bank expressed compassion for her situation and offered a goodwill compensation of $20,000, representing 10 per cent of her loss.

In another instance, a woman named Jenny fell victim to a fraudulent travel promotion. Despite widespread awareness of the dangers associated with downloading any “payment app” for social media deals—commonly used by hackers to compromise devices—Jenny clicked on an enticing travel package advertisement.

The scammer instructed her to download an app and make a minimum deposit of $5 to access the discounts. Trusting their guidance, Jenny logged into her digital banking platform to make the payment.

Unbeknownst to her, she had inadvertently installed malware on her phone that harvested her banking credentials, including saved login passwords. The scammer then exploited this information to access her bank account and siphon off her funds.

Fortunately, the bank’s security measures detected the suspicious activities and promptly froze her account. However, two transactions involving undisclosed amounts had already been completed before the freeze was enacted.

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