In a series of e-commerce scams involving Lululemon products, a 38-year-old man was apprehended by the Police for his suspected participation.
The reports were made in February 2024, with victims claiming to have been deceived by an online seller on Carousell who advertised Lululemon merchandise but failed to deliver after receiving payments via PayNow or bank transfer.
Men is suspected to be linked to other cases
After conducting thorough investigations, officers from the Ang Mo Kio Police Division identified and arrested the suspect on 3 April 2024. Preliminary investigations suggest that the man may be linked to other similar cases, with total losses amounting to over $700.
The suspect will face charges in court on 5 April 2024 for the offense of cheating under Section 420 of the Penal Code 1871. If found guilty, he may face an imprisonment term of up to ten years and a fine.
Exercise caution when buying things online
The Police have issued a warning to the public to exercise caution when making online purchases, particularly when the price seems too good to be true.
They advise purchasing only from authorized sellers or reputable sources, especially for high-value items.
Additionally, they recommend opting for buyer protection by using in-built payment options that release payment to the seller only upon delivery.
The Police also caution against making advance payments or direct bank transfers to sellers, as these methods do not offer any protection.
Scammers may attempt to lure buyers into contacting them directly through messaging platforms such as WhatsApp or WeChat, offering better or faster deals if bank transfer payments are made directly to them.
They may even provide a copy of a NRIC/driver’s license to appear genuine, but the Police urge the public not to fall for such tactics.
Report them
For more information on scams, members of the public can visit scamalert.sg or call the Anti-Scam Helpline 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.
Image source: Lululemon (for illustration purposes only)