The Singapore police have arrested a 24-year-old man for his suspected involvement in a cheating case by acting as woman online.
On May 20, 2020, the police received a report of an internet love scam.
A 29-year-old male victim had befriended and developed a relationship with the scammer on a social media platform.
Acting as woman online
The victim thought the person he befriended online was female.
The victim was then allegedly cheated as he transferred more than S$8,000 for various fictitious reasons, such as repayment of loans, medical fee and assisting to repay parent’s debts.
Through investigations, officers from Bedok Police Division established the identity of the man and arrested him on May 21, 2020.
The suspect will be charged in court on Saturday, May 23, 2020 with cheating.
The offence carries an imprisonment term that may extend to 10 years, and a fine.
Members of the public are advised to be careful when befriending strangers online, police said.
They should also be wary when they are asked to send money to people they do not know or have not met in person before.
The police also advised the public to be in control of their emotions and meet all requests for money with a cool head, knowing that it may be a scam.
For more information on scams, members of the public can visit scamalert.sg or call the Anti-Scam Hotline 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.