The Police have observed an emerging variant of malware scam where victims would respond to alleged fraudulent advertisements of food items, many of which were posted on Facebook, and be redirected to fake Sheng Siong and FairPrice Group applications (Apps). Since September 2023, at least 11 victims have fallen prey, with total losses amounting to at least $403,000. The Police have received reports of scams involving fraudulent advertisements of food items, many of which were posted on Facebook. Members of the public are advised to be wary of such fraudulent advertisements on Facebook. 

Conversation between the victim and scammer

In these cases, victims would come across advertisements on Facebook promoting food items such as rice, cookies, duck, etc. Upon clicking on the link on the said advertisement, the victims were redirected to WhatsApp whereby the “sellers” would engage victims and be directed to download an Android Package Kit (APK) over WhatsApp or be directed to malicious links to download the APK to place orders for the food items. The APK is an app created for Android’s operating system. The malicious app of concern resembles the FairPrice Group and Sheng Siong apps. Please refer to Annex A for images of these fake apps. After downloading and installing the APK file (which includes granting the app accessibility services), the scammers will be able to access the victim’s device remotely to steal banking credentials and passwords. Victims were also instructed to make a PayNow/bank transfer to make payment/deposit for the food items or become a member or to pay for delivery. Subsequently, victims discovered unauthorised transactions from their banking accounts.

The Police would like to remind members of the public of the danger of downloading apps from third-party or dubious sites. Members of the public are advised to adopt the following precautionary measures:

ADD – ScamShield to protect yourselves from scam calls and SMSes. Add anti-virus applications and ensure that these apps are updated to scan for the latest malware. Also ensure your devices’ operating systems and applications are updated regularly to be protected by the latest security patches. Please refer to Annex B for the list of recommended anti-virus apps. Disable “Install Unknown App” or “Unknown Sources” in your phone settings and do not grant permission to persistent pop-ups that request for access to your device’s hardware or data. 

CHECK – For scam signs with official sources (e.g. ScamShield WhatsApp bot @ https://g.gov.sg/scamshield-bot, call the Anti-Scam Helpline on 1800-722-6688, or visit www.scamalert.sg). Only download and install applications from official app stores (i.e., Google Play Store for Android). Be wary if asked to download unknown apps in order to purchase items on Facebook. Check the developer information on the app listing as well as the number of downloads and user reviews to ensure it is reputable and legitimate. 

TELL – Authorities, family, and friends about scams. Report the suspicious content or advertisement to Facebook. Initiate in-app blocking by reporting the number linked to the advertisement to WhatsApp. Lastly, report any fraudulent transactions to your bank immediately.

If you have already downloaded and installed the app (which includes granting the app accessibility services) or suspect that your phone is infected with malware, please take the following steps:

1. Turn your phone to “flight mode”. Check that Wi-Fi is switched off and do not switch it on.
2. Run an anti-virus scan on your phone.
3. Check your bank account/Singpass/CPF etc for any unauthorised transaction(s) using other device(s). 
4. If there are unauthorised transaction(s), report to the bank, relevant authorities, and lodge a Police report. 
5. After completing steps a-c, if you believe that your phone has not been infected with malware, you may resume usage of your phone. As a further precaution, you may consider doing a “factory reset” of your phone and changing important passwords. 

The retailers and the Police are working together in the fight against scams. If you have any information relating to such crimes or if you are in doubt, please call the Police Hotline at 1800-255-0000, or submit it online at www.police.gov.sg/iwitness. All information will be kept strictly confidential. If you require urgent Police assistance, please dial ‘999’.

For more information on scams, members of the public can visit www.scamalert.sg or call the Anti-Scam Helpline at 1800-722-6688. Fighting scams is a community effort. Together, we can ACT Against Scams to safeguard our community!

In a shocking turn of events, the picturesque Parry Field, an informal dog park located in the Rosyth estate, has become the center of controversy due to a series of tragic incidents. Over the past few days, several dogs have tragically lost their lives, leaving their owners devastated. Allegations are circulating that a nearby construction project may have led to contamination, resulting in the untimely demise of these beloved pets. In this article, we delve into the details of this heart-wrenching situation, exploring the events that have transpired and the community’s response.

The Setting: Parry Field and Its Significance

Before we dive into the unfortunate events, let’s take a moment to understand the significance of Parry Field. Situated on the grounds of the now-defunct Parry Primary School, this field has been a haven for both dogs and their owners in the Rosyth estate. Residents have cherished it as an informal dog park, a place for their furry companions to run and play freely.

A Construction Project Unfolds

The controversy began when the Urban Redevelopment Authority (URA) announced on September 29, 2022, that the site, including Parry Field, would be launched for public tender for a private assisted living development. This decision raised concerns among residents and dog owners in the area, as it indicated a significant change in land use.

Fast forward to June 20, 2023, when the Business Times reported that PRE 20, a subsidiary of real estate firm Perennial Holdings, had successfully won the tender for the development project. Construction soon commenced in the vicinity of Parry Field, with work taking place on the premises of the old school building.

A Community in Mourning

Tragedy struck when multiple dogs, who had visited Parry Field recently, fell seriously ill and, in some cases, succumbed to their illnesses. It was on October 7, 2023, that Jay Lee, one of the affected dog owners, shared the heartbreaking news of the loss of their beloved cavachon, Sunkiss. In a poignant social media post, Jay Lee revealed that Sunkiss had passed away due to toxin poisoning, following a harrowing episode of seizures.

The devastating account continued with the description of Sunkiss’s futile battle for life, ultimately ending in a heart-wrenching loss. This gut-wrenching story is not isolated, as two other dog owners, whose pets were named Palo and Katie, reported similar tragedies on October 7 and October 5, respectively. The community was left in shock and grief as they grappled with the sudden and unexplained deaths of these pets.

Allegations of Contamination

As the news of these tragic incidents spread, dog owners and residents in the area began to suspect that the construction project near Parry Field might be linked to the contamination of the land. Concerns were raised that toxins or hazardous substances from the construction site could have infiltrated the field, posing a serious threat to the health of the dogs that frequented it.

Community Action and Mourning

In response to the alarming situation, the Rosyth estate community rallied together. They erected signs at Parry Field, warning dog owners of the potential dangers and urging caution. Social media platforms were flooded with posts and tributes to the late dogs, as the community expressed their grief and support for one another. The loss of these pets has deeply affected the tight-knit neighborhood, and they are determined to seek answers and justice for their furry friends.

The Road Ahead: Poised for Redevelopment

Amidst the tragedy and controversy, it’s important to remember that the land housing Parry Field is poised for redevelopment. The transformation of this area, including the old Parry Primary School premises, is expected to bring significant changes to the Rosyth estate. However, the recent events have cast a shadow over this development, and questions linger about its potential impact on the environment and the well-being of the community.

In conclusion, the situation surrounding Parry Field and the tragic deaths of multiple dogs is a heartbreaking and perplexing one. While the community mourns their beloved pets, they also seek answers and accountability. Investigations are ongoing to determine if contamination from the nearby construction project played a role in these tragic events. The Rosyth estate, once a peaceful haven for dogs and their owners, now finds itself at the center of a heartbreaking mystery.

The Police have arrested two men, aged 56 and 32 for their suspected involvement in banking-related malware cases.

Between June and September 2023, the Police received multiple reports on banking-related malware cases, which typically involved unauthorised transactions from victims’ bank accounts even though they did not divulge their one-time passwords (OTP) to anyone.

On 4 and 5 October 2023, officers from the Criminal Investigation Department conducted an enforcement operation at the residential units of both men, leading to the arrests. An array of items, including cash amounting to more than S$25,000, 15 luxury watches, gold comprising of 34 bars, seven coins, three rings and one pendant; electronic devices comprising of an iPad and five handphones; and cryptocurrencies amounting to more than S$240,000, were seized during the operation. Six bank accounts with a total balance of about S$112,500 were also frozen to prevent further misuse.

The two men will be charged in court on 6 October 2023 for the offence of acquiring property that they had reasonable grounds to believe directly represents other person’s benefits from criminal conduct, punishable under section 54(5) of the CDSA 1992. If convicted, the offence carries an imprisonment of up to 10 years, a fine of up to $500,000, or both.

Members of the public are advised against downloading applications from third party or dubious sites that can lead to malware installed into victims’ mobile phones, computers, and other Information Communications Technology (ICT) devices. Such malware has resulted in confidential and sensitive data, such as banking credentials, being stolen. To avoid being an accomplice to crimes, members of the public should reject requests by others to use your bank account or mobile lines, as you will be held accountable if these are found to be linked to unlawful activities. 

The Police will continue to take tough enforcement action against those involved in perpetrating banking-related malware cases and will ensure that they face the full brunt of the law.

The Police have arrested a 36-year-old woman for her suspected involvement in a case of criminal breach of trust as a servant and money laundering.   

On 25 April 2023, the Police received a report stating the discovery of unauthorised financial activities within a company and resulted in the embezzlement of more than $119,000. The funds were allegedly transferred from the company’s bank account to an employee’s personal and acquired bank accounts between 15 August 2022 and 7 March 2023.

Through follow-up investigations, officers from Bedok Police Division arrested the 36-year-old female employee on 8 August 2023. Preliminary investigations revealed that the woman was employed as a Payroll Staff within the company, had allegedly executed a series of wrongful transfers to her bank accounts. 

The woman will be charged in court on 9 October 2023 with the offences of Criminal Breach of Trust as a Servant under Section 408 of the Penal Code 1871 and Money Laundering under Section 54(1)(c) of the Corruption, Drug Trafficking and Other Serious Crimes (Confiscation of Benefits) Act 1992. Anyone convicted of criminal breach of trust as a servant will face an imprisonment term of up to 15 years and a fine. Any individual convicted of money laundering under Section 54 of the CDSA 1992 will face an imprisonment term of up to 10 years, or a fine of up to $500,000, or both.

The Police takes a serious view of any person who engages in fraudulent or dishonest conducts. Offenders will be dealt with severely in accordance with the law.