Many began using mobile apps and online stores to have their weekly groceries delivered right to their doorsteps, especially after the global COVID-19 lockdowns. The shift to buying things online has become so common that scammers have seized the opportunity.
As reported by CNA, a couple that recently purchased organic eggs online fell victim to a scam, losing over SGD 150,000 (approximately RM522,198.98) from their savings.
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A 57-year-old Singh shared with CNA that his wife stumbled upon a Facebook ad selling organic eggs. Upon clicking to place an order, the scammer, posing as a seller named Jason, communicated with them through WhatsApp.
The scammers asked Singh to deposit money through an app and shared a link. After downloading the app, Singh tried to buy 60 eggs, but the process took him to a payment page that looked like a bank’s. When he tried to log in with his password, it didn’t work.
The following day, Singh got a call from the bank’s customer service representative, who informed him about a hefty credit card transaction. After looking into their bank accounts, they found out that the scammers had drained their entire savings.
Singh mentioned he didn’t know how the fraudsters got hold of his credit card and other bank details. He clarified that he didn’t get any transfer notifications and didn’t receive a one-time password for transaction approval.
The banks involved have acknowledged that they know about the situation and are in contact with the affected couple. The Singapore Police have confirmed that they received a report from the Singh couple, and they’re currently investigating the matter.
Scammers count on you to overlook the warning signs. If you’ve fallen victim to a scam, be extra cautious about new scams, even if someone claims to assist you in recovering your money.
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