Fraudsters exploit trust in anti-scam initiatives to target victims.
A new scam tactic has emerged in Singapore, with conmen impersonating officers from the police’s Anti-Scam Centre (ASC) and ScamShield. The scammers aim to deceive victims by claiming their phone numbers have been linked to illegal activities, particularly investment scams.
Modus Operandi
The scammers call their targets, introduce themselves as ASC or ScamShield representatives, and falsely accuse victims of being connected to fraudulent activities. To reinforce their credibility, they often state the victim’s full name and identification number accurately before asking them to confirm these details.
The ScamShield app, designed to identify and warn users about scam threats on messaging platforms, and its website providing scam-related advisories, have been weaponized by these fraudsters to gain victims’ trust.
Police Advisory
The Singapore Police Force clarified in a statement on November 20 that legitimate officers will never request personal information via phone or messaging apps like WhatsApp. The public is urged to remain cautious and refrain from sharing sensitive details with unknown individuals.
Staying Vigilant
To protect against such scams:
Verify the identity of the caller through official channels.
Avoid sharing personal details like identification numbers or financial information.
Report suspicious calls or messages to the police immediately.
This latest ruse highlights the evolving tactics of scammers and the need for heightened awareness to safeguard personal information.
