Man in SG arrested for allegedly cheating victim of S$2,600 in ecommerce scam

Whenever possible, people should avoid making advance payment or direct bank transfer to the seller, said the police. — Photo by rupixen.com on Unsplash

SINGAPORE: A 37-year-old man was arrested on Sept 6 for allegedly cheating a victim of S$2,600 (RM8,324) in a scam where he advertised a Rolex watch for sale on ecommerce site Carousell.

Police said the victim made a report on Sept 2, saying he had paid S$2,600 (RM8,324) as deposit for the watch through bank transfer.

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But after the payment, the seller failed to deliver the watch and delayed refunding the deposit.

Officers from Bedok Police Division managed to establish the identity of the seller and arrested him on Sept 6.

If found guilty of cheating, the man faces a jail term of up to 10 years and a fine.

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The police advise members of the public to purchase only from authorised sellers or reputable sources, especially for high-value items.

“If the price is too good to be true, it probably is,” they added.

People should also opt for buyer protection by using in-built payment options that release payment to the seller only upon delivery.

Whenever possible, they should avoid making advance payment or direct bank transfer to the seller.

Police said scammers could entice buyers to contact them directly through messaging platforms such as WhatsApp or WeChat, by offering a better or faster deal if bank transfer payments are made directly to them.

To make the buyer believe that they are genuine sellers, scammers may also use a local bank account or provide a copy of an NRIC or a driver's licence. – The Straits Times (Singapore)/Asia News Network