Skip to main content
Home The New Paper
  • Home
  • News
    • Singapore
    • World
    • Business
    • Views
    • Backstage
    • Others
  • Sports
    • Football
    • Singapore Football
    • Team Singapore
    • School Sports
    • Athletics
    • Basketball
    • Cricket
    • Swimming
    • Tennis
    • Golf
    • Racing
    • Others
  • Entertainment
    • Movies
    • Music
    • TV
    • Star Style
    • School of Frock
  • Lifestyle
    • Makan
    • Hed Chef
    • Weets Eats
    • Health
    • Tech
    • Travel
    • Fashion
    • Shopping
    • Biker Boy
    • Celeb Chow
    • Others
  • Racing
  • Your Tip-Offs
  • Read E-Paper
  • Contests
  • Coupon
  • Team

Popular

  • COURT & CRIME
  • Food & Drink
Singapore

Bank-related phishing scams move to messaging apps, social media

Bank-related phishing scams move to messaging apps, social media
Victims of such scams receive a message via WhatsApp allegedly sent by a local bank. TNP FILE PHOTO
Jessie Lim
Oct 22, 2020 06:00 am
  • Share on Facebook
  • Share on Twitter
  • Share on WhatsApp
  • E-mail this article
  • 0 Engagements

Banking-related phishing scams are not new but scammers have discovered new hunting grounds for victims: messaging apps and social media.

New variants of phishing scams in the digital arena involve fake advertising campaigns and lucky draws allegedly offered by banks, the police said.

Victims of such scams receive a message via WhatsApp allegedly sent by a local bank.

They may also be tricked by a fake advertisement on Facebook, asking them to take part in lucky draws or certain promotions to win attractive prizes.

Those who click on the URL link embedded in the text messages or fake advertisements are redirected to a fake bank website.

The website then asks them to provide their Internet banking details and one-time passwords.

Woman gets six months’ jail for hitting, slapping maid
Singapore

Woman gets six months’ jail for hitting, slapping maid

Mar 05, 2021

Related Stories

Jail, caning for Briton who molested 3-year-old during class

DJ Tenashar claims trial to 9 charges, some drug-related

Dedicated court for harassment cases to begin operations this year

Most victims realise they have been scammed only when they discover that unauthorised transactions have been made from their bank accounts.

The police added that in order to target customers from different banks and payment service providers, scammers may modify these fake bank sites from time to time.

Banking-related phishing scams had the fourth highest number of reported cases among all scam types in the first six months of this year, the police said.

From January to June this year, 898 cases involving such scams were reported, up from 34 in the same period last year - a more than 20-fold increase.

In total, victims were cheated of $3.6 million in the first half of this year, up from $93,000 in the same period last year.

Members of the public are advised to take measures such as verifying the authenticity of the information they receive by accessing the official bank website.

They should also refrain from giving out their personal or bank account details and one-time passwords to anyone.

"Do not click on URL links in unsolicited advertisements and text messages, especially those related to lucky draws or contests," the police said.

Those who have experienced fraudulent transactions or fraudulent credit or debit card charges should report them to their banks and cancel their card immediately.

For scam-related advice, the public can call the anti-scam helpline on 1800-722-6688 or go to www.scamalert.sg

Those who wish to provide information on scams may call the police on 1800-255-0000 or go to www.police.gov.sg/iwitness

Get The New Paper on your phone with the free TNP app. Download from the Apple App Store or Google Play Store now

COURT & CRIME

Jessie Lim

Read articles by Jessie Lim
  • Share on Facebook
  • Share on Twitter
  • Share on WhatsApp
  • E-mail this article
  • Newslink -  Purchase this article for republication

Top Stories this Month

Jaime Teo to be sentenced in March over Twelve Cupcakes wages
Singapore

Jaime Teo to be sentenced next month in Twelve Cupcakes case

Feb 26, 2021
MasterChef Singapore 2 finalists spill the beans
TV

MasterChef hopefuls spill the beans

Feb 25, 2021
Makansutra: Mad for this moist millennial char kway teow
Makan

Mad for this moist and marvellous char kway teow

Feb 25, 2021
Home
  • Contests
  • Coupon
  • Team
  • Home
  • News
    • Singapore
    • World
    • Business
    • Views
    • Backstage
    • Others
  • Sports
    • Football
    • Singapore Football
    • Team Singapore
    • School Sports
    • Athletics
    • Basketball
    • Cricket
    • Swimming
    • Tennis
    • Golf
    • Racing
    • Others
  • Entertainment
    • Movies
    • Music
    • TV
    • Star Style
    • School of Frock
  • Lifestyle
    • Makan
    • Hed Chef
    • Weets Eats
    • Health
    • Tech
    • Travel
    • Fashion
    • Shopping
    • Biker Boy
    • Celeb Chow
    • Others
  • Racing
  • Your Tip-Offs
  • Read E-Paper
  • Contact TNP
  • About SPH
  • Privacy Statement
  • Data Protection Policy
  • Member Terms & Conditions
  • Website Terms & Conditions
SPH Digital News Copyright © 2021 Singapore Press Holdings Ltd. Co. Regn No. 198402868E