Case 1 – Internet Love Scam
On June 15, 2021, the Police received information from an OCBC employee of an internet love scam in which a female bank client requested that S$10,000 be sent to a guy she had befriended and formed a connection with on a social media platform. The man stated he needed money for his company and attempted to persuade the woman to send the money to him.
Despite OCBC staff’s warnings that she may be a victim of a scam, the woman was skeptical and insisted on completing the financial transfer. She tried three times at the branch to transfer the cash. After police from Jurong Police Division urged her not to proceed with the transfer and the fraudster failed to arrive in a planned video conference, a confirmation method provided by OCBC, she was ultimately satisfied that it was a scam effort.
Case 2 – Government Official Impersonation Scam
On June 1, 2021, a female OCBC Bank client requested a $34,000 transfer to a friend who said he had been arrested by customs officials from a foreign nation for attempting to carry across a parcel containing cash intended for the victim. Her request for a transfer was deemed odd, and it was later discovered that the woman had received text messages from fraudsters. The victim was informed that it was a scam by OCBC Bank employees, who proactively communicated pertinent fraud alerts with her, including those from the Singapore Police Force. After becoming certain that it was a scam effort, the victim opted not to proceed with the transfer.
Case 3 – China Official Impersonation Scam
On April 5, 2021, the Police got information from a United Overseas Bank (UOB) employee that a female bank client had received a call from a fraudster posing as a foreign government official, accusing her of being involved in a crime. The woman had been ordered by the fraudster to send him $4,000 in cash. Her desire for a transfer seemed odd, and the staff discovered that the woman had received phone calls from fraudsters with the help of her coworkers.
After UOB employees and police from Jurong Police Division shared fraud warnings with her and urged her not to proceed with the transfer, she was ultimately persuaded that it was a scam effort.