Singapore scam posing as ICA, China officials cost victims S$6.1 million
What's new: Police linked at least 72 cases since January to callers who demanded cash or bank transfers for fake probes or bail.
At least 72 people in Singapore have lost a combined S$6.1 million since January in scams involving callers posing as officers from the Immigration and Checkpoints Authority and Chinese officials, police said Friday. The callers told victims their personal details had been misused or that their phone numbers were tied to crimes such as spreading false rumors or scam messages. When victims denied wrongdoing, the calls were transferred to another scammer posing as a Chinese official, who then demanded money for supposed investigations or bail. Victims were told to transfer funds to bank accounts or withdraw cash for handover. Police said government officials will never ask for money, loans, banking credentials or app downloads from unofficial app stores.