Singapore and Malaysia police bust Johor and Kuala Lumpur job scam syndicates in joint operation

INCREASE IN REPORTS FROM LOCAL JOB SCAM VICTIMS 

Since May 2021, SPF has seen a rise in stories from native victims of job scams. 

In such instances, the syndicate would submit job ads providing fast cash on totally different social media platforms or chat purposes.

The job would require victims, who have been principally job seekers, to assist enhance the gross sales of online platforms, by ordering items or finishing duties corresponding to liking TikTok or YouTube movies. 

The victims could be informed that their accounts could possibly be upgraded to get greater commissions as soon as the preliminary duties have been accomplished. They would later be informed to pay for the products by transferring funds to totally different financial institution accounts. 

In return, the victims could be promised reimbursements of the sums that they'd paid, in addition to between 5 per cent and 15 per cent of the commissions. 

The scammers would purportedly first reimburse the victims and pay them the agreed commissions to persuade them the job was reliable.

But they'd then induce the victims to deposit "increasingly larger sums of money" to earn more fee, in addition to to finish duties of upper financial worth. 

"At this level, the scammer would promise commissions solely after a sure variety of duties had been accomplished.

"Consequently, payments were allegedly delayed or withheld, and the victims would only realise that they had fallen prey to a scam when they did not receive the promised reimbursements and commissions," stated the police. 

Director of CAD David Chew stated job scams proceed to be a "serious crime concern that targets job seekers who can ill-afford such losses". 

"The Singapore Police Force will continue to collaborate closely with our Malaysian counterparts to detect and deter these transnational syndicates who use the anonymity of the internet to commit crimes," stated Mr Chew. 

He additionally thanked his Malaysian counterparts for his or her sturdy help and dedication in tackling transnational crime syndicates that concentrate on Singaporean and Malaysian residents. 

"We will also take firm action against the money mules in Singapore, who sell their bank accounts to these job syndicates or actively help them to launder their proceeds of crime," he stated. 

Mr Chew additionally reminded the general public to not fall prey to scammers working on social media providing jobs that appear "too good to be true". 

SPF cautioned job seekers to be cautious of job ads that promise the comfort of working from residence or a excessive wage for comparatively easy job tasks. 

"Legitimate businesses will not require job seekers to use their own bank accounts to receive money on behalf of the businesses, or to make upfront payments to secure the job offers and earn commissions," stated SPF. 

Members of the general public have been additionally reminded to at all times reject requests to make use of their private financial institution accounts to obtain and switch cash for others, in order to keep away from being concerned in cash laundering actions.