A resident in Hougang has been plagued by repeated visits from strangers after scammers falsely listed his home address as a collection point for illegal vape pods and other contraband items for nearly two years.
The anonymous homeowner at Block 251, Hougang Avenue 3, revealed that his address has been widely circulated on Telegram groups and websites connected to illicit sales, including a site called “Our Vape Store” which advertises Kpods—popular vape pods sold online illegally—using his unit as a contact and pickup location, reported Shin Min Daily News.
Illegal Sales and Fake Giveaways Linked to Hougang Address
The website promotes Kpods priced between S$50 and S$100, along with items like beer and eSIM cards, enticing buyers to collect purchases from the Hougang unit. This has caused the resident considerable inconvenience as people come knocking, expecting to pick up goods.
In addition to the vape pod sales, scammers running fake giveaways have also misused the address. For example, users on various Facebook groups discovered that scammers claiming to offer free strollers or glass cat condos would instruct victims to collect items from the same Hougang unit, demanding delivery fees or deposits beforehand. One victim who refused the fee opted for self-collection, only to be misled.
The fake giveaways have been reported on multiple platforms, including the “Childcare in Singapore” and “Complaint Singapore” Facebook groups.
Homeowner Installs CCTV and Alerts Police Over Persistent Visitors
The homeowner shared that the nuisance began about two years ago, with visitors even arriving late at night or early morning hours—sometimes as late as 3 a.m. Due to frequent unexpected visitors, he installed CCTV cameras and contacted authorities whenever strangers appeared at his door.
An incident occurred recently when a Shin Min Daily News reporter came to investigate; the homeowner mistakenly thought the reporter was another buyer and called the police, but the misunderstanding was quickly resolved.
Public Notice Urges Scam Victims to Report Cases
A notice has been placed outside the unit warning visitors that the address is being fraudulently used by scammers. The notice advises anyone who has lost money through related scams to report the matter to the police.
Despite the distress caused by repeated unwanted visits, the resident expressed understanding, recognising that many visitors were themselves victims of scams.
Image Source: Shin Min Daily News (left)