SINGAPORE: More than 6,300 individuals in Singapore fell victim to the growing menace of “fake friend” scams last year, leading to collective losses nearing $16 million, according to a statement by the police.
These scams involve perpetrators posing as someone familiar to the victims, exploiting trust and seeking financial assistance.
The wealthy city-state has witnessed a surge in such scams, prompting authorities to issue frequent warnings. In the latest case, five Malaysians were extradited to Singapore over a “fake friend” scam, with losses exceeding $1 million.
The syndicate is believed to be responsible for over 500 police reports and losses surpassing Sg$1.4 million since June of the previous year.
The extradited individuals face charges of conspiracy to cheat, potentially resulting in up to 10 years of imprisonment and fines if convicted.
Singapore’s police force is intensifying efforts, collaborating with counterparts in Malaysia, to combat transnational scam syndicates targeting its citizens.
