This morning, I was woken from my sleep by the phone ringing. Still in a daze, I rushed to answer the phone. But it was a voice recorded message in chinese and it was already halfway said. I didn't really catch what it was saying, so I waited for it to repeat. I didn't suspect anything even though it was in chinese, but hearing it's from the high court, I've got a bit panicky. When the line was put through, I didn't suspect again even though I can hear it's a china lady speaking in English, with so many china people working in our society now. I asked her why she called me. Straightaway, she asked for my ID no. to verify who's calling me. I've gave her without thinking twice (which is a very stupid thing to do. But being just woken up, my mind wasn't thinking properly lah!). She then verify my name and said I was involved in a legal issue in the high court involving money laundering. With so many experience in money laundering and the every month drilling from my work, I became quite worried and actually believe her. But I still can't really believe it so I started questioning her. She told me that my name and ID was used in opening accounts for a loanshark for money laundering. By then, I was quite suspicious and was thinking it may be just a mis-identity. I told her I never borrow any money so how can he use my name to open it. Then she changed her story and said maybe I lost my ID. I retorted back and said never. Then she changed her story and told me do I know a loanshark by a name which I can't remember now. I said no. By then, I was quite angry and asked for her name and contact no. to verify her. She gave me without fail and said her name is Judy Wong and her number is 63381034. Then she replied that she'll get the in-charge CID to call me back around 5 to 7 mins. I said no at first and wanted the number of the CID. But she replied she dun have and he will call me back, even giving the name of the CID to me - Yeo Kee Cheong.
After hanging up the phone, I straightaway called Singtel to verify the number given to me. It was confirmed to be a Subordinate Courts number. So I immediately called back but there was no reply and divert to a phone mail. I hanged up the phone. Immediately, the phone rang and a guy was then on the line. He identified himself as CID and his name was Yeo Kee Cheong. By then, I was already very very suspiciously and already regretted giving my ID no. to the Judy Wong. He said I was involved in an investigation and need to ask me a few questions. From his voice, I've already know he's a China man although he speaks in fluent english. I entertained his questions and ask him what he want from me. When he ask me about the loanshark, whether I know him or his accomplice, he started mentioning his name in such brilliant and correct tone of chinese. I known then it's a scam. I started questioning him, asking for his dept, his contact number, his police ID. Then he said very fiercely that I'm the accomplice and yet I dare to question him. I immediately argue back and said when did our Singapore Police Force started employing china nationality police officers? He couldn't answer me and I couldn't be bothered by then to talk anymore with him and hanged up the phone. Immediately, I called the police hotline number as I was still quite worried and scared with my giving of my ID no. The lady was very nice as I told her about what happened and she suggested that I go down to the nearest police station to make a police report. I thanked her for it and immediately called hubby. But by then I already at my nerve-end and broke down. He got worried and rushed home immediately and accompany to the NPC and I really MADE A POLICE REPORT!
The policemen were very nice to me and told me it's very common nowadays although they are still investigating. They told me to go to the website to see and even print out the articles for me. Below is the article, friends. Please diseminate to everyone and inform all your family members. This really teaches me a lesson. Guess what? Not to answer anymore phonecalls in future!!! Hahahaa... no lah... really must stay cool and calm so that you will think better. Just because I just woke up and hearing the word "High Court" I started panicking and this makes my mistake. Another thing to learn, I must really start having the habit to read newspaper lah!!! Sign!
SPF Media Releases
07 Dec 2007
Phone Scams Making Use Of Kidnap Ruse And Impersonating As Supreme Court Staff Or Police Officers Continues
Confidence tricksters continue to use the "Kidnap Hoax Scam" with 9 cases reported between 1 and 29 November 07 and 19 cases reported between 1 and 6 Dec 07. The cheating ruse is employed to induce people to part with money by alleging that their next-of-kin had been kidnapped and would be harmed if money was not transferred to the callers. The allegations were untrue and no one had been kidnapped.
Police had earlier in August 07 alerted members of public of this cheating ruse when it surfaced. Of the 58 cases reported since Aug 07, the culprits were unsuccessful in all but two cases, in which the victims were cheated of more than S$50,000 cash. Members of public are advised to remain calm and call the Police immediately if they are approached in a similar manner. Police investigations of these cases are on-going.
Another ruse used by the cheats is to impersonate themselves as police officers or staff from the Supreme Court. The impersonators would direct them to attend court or request for transfer of monies and attempt to induce their victims into parting with money, presumably to exonerate them from involvement in criminal cases or for failure to attend court hearings. In reality, the victims were not involved in any such criminal or court proceedings.
This method of cheating surfaced in September 07 which prompted police to alert members of public. As of 6 December 07, a total of 224 reports were received. The culprits were unsuccessful in 195 cases, but in 29 cases the victims were cheated of more than S$275,500 cash.
It is normal during the course of police work for investigators to inform members of the public over the phone on Court dates and appointments at the police station for police statements. However, police will never ask for money to be deposited into a bank account. If such requests for property deposits or personal information disclosure are received, they should be reported to the police immediately.
The public is advised to be wary when receiving phone calls or other forms of communication. Cheating scams may take different forms but these scams are all designed to cheat victims into parting with their money. When in doubt, the public is advised to verify the caller's identity with the agency or organisation the caller claims to be from.
PUBLIC AFFAIRS DEPARTMENTSINGAPORE POLICE FORCE07 December 2007 at 5.00pm
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