SINGAPORE: Scammers using hacked or spoofed Facebook accounts have cheated victims at least S$1.2 million this year, said the Singapore Police Force (SPF) in a news release on Monday (Nov 25).
At least 45 reports of these Facebook impersonation scams were made between January and September 2019.
AdvertisementAdvertisementThe victims of such scams tend to be older people aged 60 years and above, the police added, "likely because they are not aware that Facebook accounts could be hacked or spoofed" and "they tend to be more trusting".
[h=3]READ: S$6 million lost to phone scammers impersonating technical support staff and police[/h][h=3]READ: 192 scams with fake Lazada and Shopee lucky draws reported this year - police[/h]Scammers would contact their victims using compromised Facebook accounts belonging to friends or family members.
AdvertisementAdvertisementAfter introducing the victims to various types of grants, the scammers would tell the victims to provide their personal details, and transfer money to bank accounts or remit funds overseas supposedly in order to receive the grant.
[h=3]READ: Police warn about online ticket scams for Universal Studios Singapore, other attractions[/h][h=3]READ: Deceived by fake Changi Airport lucky draw, scam victims lose S$40,000[/h]Police highlighted several red flags that the public can take cues from to guard themselves from such scams:
- Unusual requests on social media or text messages, even if they were sent by your contacts
- Get-rich-quick offers that ask you to transfer money in return for more money
- Requests for personal information, bank account, credit or debit card details, or one-time passwords (OTP)
More information can be found at www.scamalert.sg.
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