By CCN.com: A investigation involving machines at Tampines One Mall in Singapore saved a 32-year-old man from scammers impersonating officials. They also helped a 49-year-old man not to transfer any more of his to the alleged lying thieves.
Singapore Saturday:
“Do not fall for scammers who impersonate officials from and ask victims to transfer money using machines.”
Also:
“No government agency in Singapore will demand payment over the telephone or other social messaging platforms, such as WeChat or Facebook, or demand that you surrender cash to unnamed people. They would also not ask for personal banking information, such as your Internet banking passwords.”
Scammers Posted False Alerts From The Authorities Next to a bitcoin Machine in a Mall
Scammers exploit the fact that it’s easier to make people do stupid things that hurt themselves if they believe you are working for the government.
Reportedly the 49-year-old man was tearing down posters near a teller machine. Witnesses called the to report vandalism in the mall. But when investigated they discovered the posters were part of an elaborate and malicious scam.
Claiming to be an alert about from the authorities, the posters lured their target to call a phone number. When the 49-year-old man called, the scammers impersonated authorities from . They allegedly told him that he was under investigation for a transnational .
Then they ordered the man to transfer a total of $1,000 ($734 USD) worth of to their wallets on two occasions. The victim complied and sent them his .
While were watching the area for more information, another potential victim, this time a 32-year-old man, was about to call the number on the poster before they stopped him.
Singaporean Authorities Are Actively Policing Crypto Scams In Their Country
The Singaporean Central Bank flagged a fraudulent website last September, and authorities have issued warning reports about crypto scams in January.
In January the Singaporean government of a hoax claiming the Republic of Singapore would officially adopt a .
It seems that scammers have found they can exploit the trust people have in government. In an environment as new and unfamiliar as , people are more likely to be careful with entrepreneurs they don’t really know, and more instantly trustful of someone who they believe is working for the government.
Between September and November last year, $78,000 worth of held by investors living in Singapore to swindles by scammers.
Because thriving tech sector and highly wired economy is a hotbed of enterprise, the government and financial authorities have been swift to fraud in .
Published at Sun, 28 Apr 2019 08:58:55 +0000