In a world where online scams are becoming increasingly sophisticated, Ms. Lee, an administrative executive, fell victim to a mooncake scam that cost her a staggering $76,000. The story highlights the importance of online vigilance and serves as a cautionary tale for anyone making purchases through unfamiliar online channels.
The Temptation of Mooncakes
According to Shin Min Daily News, It all began innocently enough for Ms. Lee when she stumbled upon a Facebook advertisement for bunny-shaped mooncakes filled with Mao Shan Wang durian from a bakery known as “Sunshine Cake House.” The offer seemed too good to pass up: $29.90 for a box of eight delicious mooncakes.
The Fateful Interaction
Eager to seize the opportunity, Ms. Lee reached out to the seller on Facebook. However, instead of dealing directly with the seller, her contact information was passed on to a “delivery man” who communicated with her through WhatsApp. This is where the story takes a sinister turn.
The Third-Party App Ruse
The so-called “delivery man” instructed Ms. Lee to download a third-party app on her Android phone to facilitate the transaction. This app requested a $1 payment through PayNow as a “deposit” before her order could be placed. Sensing something amiss and being cautious about her bank details, Ms. Lee hesitated. However, the fraudster stepped in and paid the deposit on her behalf.
The Deleted App and the Courteous Caller
Soon after, Ms. Lee decided to delete the third-party app due to difficulties accessing her mobile banking app. She didn’t inform the “delivery man” of this decision, but he quickly caught wind of it. He called her and insisted she download the deleted app again. His politeness played a pivotal role in convincing Ms. Lee to comply.
The Phone Compromise
As the day progressed, the “delivery man” kept Ms. Lee updated on the delivery, repeatedly postponing the time. Eventually, around 11 pm, she retired for the night. Little did she know that her phone had been compromised while she slept.
The Shocking Discovery
Upon waking, Ms. Lee found herself unable to make calls or access her mobile banking apps. Alarmed, she rushed to the nearest ATM to check her bank balance, only to discover that her savings had been wiped clean. The scammers had increased her transaction limit from $500 to $20,000 and siphoned off a staggering $76,000 from her DBS account.
The Aftermath and Investigations
In the aftermath of the scam, Ms. Lee had to borrow a phone to contact her bank and subsequently filed a police report. Investigations are ongoing, but the emotional toll on Ms. Lee is evident. She is left grappling with the loss of funds she had earmarked for the down payment on her new Build-to-Order flat and renovation works.
Unanswered Questions and Lessons Learned
Ms. Lee raises pertinent questions about the bank’s role in this unfortunate incident. She wonders why DBS did not flag the unusual transactions and take preventive measures. Her sentiment is shared by many who believe that banks should be more proactive in protecting their customers from such scams.
The Rising Tide of Mooncake Scams
As the Mid-Autumn Festival approaches, scammers are capitalizing on the holiday spirit with bogus mooncake advertisements. These scams follow a similar modus operandi: “sellers” send payment links that surreptitiously download malware onto victims’ phones. This malicious software allows scammers to gain remote access to devices and drain bank accounts.
In August alone, the police reported that at least 27 individuals fell victim to these mooncake scams, resulting in a collective loss of approximately $325,000.