In an operation conducted on 1 August 2022, the Commercial Affairs Department arrested one 17-year-old man and identified two men, aged 30 and 37, for their suspected involvement in a scam involving the sale of Marquee Singapore tickets on Telegram. Since July 2022, at least 19 victims have fallen prey, with total losses amounting to at least $5,000.
On 31 July 2022, the Police received information about a scam variant involving the sale of Marquee Singapore tickets on Telegram, where victims were deceived into making advance payments to scammers to secure tickets for entry to Marquee Singapore.
Preliminary investigations revealed that victims came across posts made by scammers, on Telegram chatgroups such as ‘SG Clubbing’. These posts advertised the sale of Marquee Singapore tickets, for various events that were sold out on the official website of Marquee Singapore. In these posts, victims were promised that by purchasing tickets via the scammers, they would have guaranteed entry into Marquee Singapore and would also not have to queue to enter. Upon responding to the posts, victims were requested by the scammers to make advance payment for the tickets. The victims realised that they had been scammed when the scammers became uncontactable after the transfers had been made but they did not receive the tickets they had paid for.
In general, patrons of Marquee Singapore would be required to purchase tickets for entry either via the official Marquee Singapore website or onsite at Marquee Singapore itself.
Officers from the Commercial Affairs Department conducted investigations and arrested one man. Two other men are also currently assisting with investigations. The three men are believed to have facilitated the scam by providing their bank accounts to facilitate illicit fund movements.
Police investigations are ongoing. The offence of cheating and dishonestly inducing the delivery of a property under Section 420 of the Penal Code 1871 carries an imprisonment term of up to 10 years and a fine.