The Singapore Police Force said in a press release that they have arrested 2 men, aged 26 and 31, for their suspected involvement in a scam on the e-commerce website Carousell, where they allegedly sold counterfeit Apple Airpods to victims.
The police added that both men were charged in court on 18 March under Section 420 of the Penal Code 1871, under the offence of cheating.
The Singapore Police Force said that they have received several police reports from the victims who had suspected they were cheated into buying the fake AirPods on Carousell from 11 March to 15 March last week.
The victims had been deceived into thinking that the Apple AirPods were authentic because the products were sold in sealed boxes with serial numbers to make them look real.
When the victims received the products that they paid for, they then discovered that the AirPods were actually fake and not genuine.
Officers from the Bedok Police Division then commenced follow-up investigations and established the identities of the two men, and they were both arrested on 17 March 2023.
About 18 boxes of fake Apple AirPods were also seized by the police, along with 3 mobile phones, that will be used as case exhibits.
If found guilty of cheating, the men face a jail term of up to 10 years and a fine.
Online purchase scam
An unusually good deal for a gadget, amusement park or concert tickets attracts your attention online. You transfer payment to the “seller” who promises delivery of the item.
In some cases, the seller demands further payment for duties or delivery charges after the first payment is made. Ultimately, you never receive the item.
In another variant, you may be asked to pay in cash for items that you did not purchase, that are different to what you thought you purchased or are cheap replicas.
Many of these fake sellers may pose as legitimate online sellers on popular marketplaces, create fake websites, or even place advertisements on social media to build credibility.
You only realise you’ve been scammed after paying for the items in cash.
Signs of scams
- Be wary of good deals
If its too good to be true, chances are it is. These deals often go for way below market price disguised as a one-time-only or flash deals. Scammers may also promote popular, sold-out items for above market price. - Lack of information
Scammers often omit product information and/or have unstated terms and conditions - Tries to take conversation off platform
Scammers may try to take the conversation off platform to avoid detection - Request payment via direct bank transfer
Scammers will often ask you to pay via direct bank transfer in return for a discount - Asks for multiple payments
Scammers may also ask for extra payments like admin charges and freight charges
Staying safe
Always choose to deal with reputable sellers who have good ratings and reviews and have been with the site for some time.
For high-value items, use reputable platforms with consumer protection and return policies.
Always check the terms and conditions and ensure fees are stated upfront.
Additional fees such as GST may be levied on goods that exceed a certain value ($400) for more information visit Singapore Customs: www.customs.gov.sg/individuals/buying-over-the-internet/