At least S$4.8 million lost in Singapore to Harvey Norman impersonation scams — Channel NewsAsia

Since the beginning of the year, Singapore has recorded at least 119 cases of fraud in which perpetrators impersonated Harvey Norman employees. According to police, victims’ losses reached at least S$4.8 million, or about US$3.8 million.

As Channel NewsAsia reports, police warned of an increase in the number of such cases. Scammers called people unsolicited and claimed that they had allegedly purchased a television or needed to confirm a delivery.

A scheme involving a fake investigation

When the people they contacted denied making a purchase, the perpetrators claimed that their personal data had allegedly been used by third parties and that a further investigation was needed. The call was then transferred to another participant in the scheme, who impersonated an employee of the Monetary Authority of Singapore.

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Such a caller accused victims of allegedly being involved in crimes, including money laundering, and offered them to transfer funds to a “safe account” for a fictitious verification.

Money and valuables

In some cases, victims were instructed to withdraw cash, buy gold bars, or hand over jewellery and expensive watches to strangers allegedly for investigative purposes. They were promised the return of their money and valuables after the “investigation” was completed, but later realised they had been scammed after not receiving the promised refund.

Police reminded the public that Singapore government officials do not ask people to transfer or hand over cash or valuables, provide login details for banking services, install apps from unverified stores, or transfer calls to the police or other government officials.