22 people nabbed for scams, commercial crimes in Singapore

Almost $300,000 worth of scam transactions are being investigated by the police.

Sixteen men and six women, aged between 14 and 61, are believed to be involved in 49 scams and commercial crime cases.

These investigations follow a three-day operation conducted by Jurong Police Division between Aug 27 and yesterday.

According to police, the suspects are either being investigated for cheating under the Penal Code, which carries a punishment of imprisonment for up to 10 years and a fine, or money laundering under the Corruption, Drug Trafficking and Other Serious Crimes (Confiscation of Benefits) Act.

The latter carries a punishment of imprisonment for up to 10 years with the possibility of a fine of up to $500,000 as well.

Commander of Jurong Police Division, Assistant Commissioner of Police Devrajan Bala said: "Members of the public are advised to be wary of online advertisements where deals might appear too good to be true.

"(The police) take a serious view against any person who may be involved in scams, and those found perpetrating scams will be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law."

Last week, The New Paper reported that there was a 58 per cent increase in all e-commerce scams this year, with 1,277 cases in the first half of this year, up from 808 cases in the same period of last year. Most of these occurred on Carousell.

Earlier this month, TNP reported on the case of a 23-year-old scammer involved in the sale of National Day Parade and JJ Lin concert tickets.

The police advisory cautioned the public against sharing personal information such as identification number.

The public is also advised to buy goods from authorised dealers and use shopping platforms that provide arrangements to release payment to the seller only upon receipt of the item.

The advisory also warned the public against allowing others to use their bank account or mobile phone as the account holder will be held accountable for illegal transactions found on the device or account.