The Police have arrested a 28-year-old woman for her suspected involvement in a series of rental scams.
Between September and December 2022, the Police received reports of rental scams from several victims who had responded to online advertisements offering rental of a residential unit. After the victims paid the deposit via bank transfer, the woman purportedly became uncontactable.
Through follow-up investigations, officers from Jurong Police Division established the identity of the woman and arrested her on 5 January 2023. Preliminary investigations revealed that she is believed to be involved in other similar cases of rental scams with losses amounting to more than $19,000/-.
The woman will be charged in court on 6 January 2023 with the offence of cheating under Section 420 of the Penal Code 1871. The offence carries an imprisonment term of up to 10 years and a fine.
Members of the public are reminded to be wary of such scams and to adopt the following crime prevention measures:
- Do not make any advance payment until tenancy is confirmed, and pay the rental deposit and rents by cheque or via bank transfer for documentary proof;
- Visit the housing unit which you intend to rent to confirm its existence, state of condition and signs of multiple subletting; and
- Verify the identities of the person/s whom you are dealing with and their relationship to the housing unit, especially when you are not engaging the services of a licensed estate agent or registered salespersons.
For more information on scams, members of the public can visit scamalert.sg or call the Anti-Scam Hotline at 1800-722-6688. Anyone with information on such scams may call the Police Hotline at
1800-255-0000 or submit information online at www.police.gov.sg/iwitness.
PUBLIC AFFAIRS DEPARTMENT
SINGAPORE POLICE FORCE
05 January 2023 @ 6:32 PM