MINDEF warns public of fraudulent bulk orders by individuals claiming to be MINDEF/SAF personnel
The recent spate of bulk order scams appears to have persisted despite the publicity, as three new suspected cases have emerged.
Individuals who claimed to be from MINDEF or the SAF placed all the orders.
Source: Gramicidin on Flickr
‘Procurement orders’ used for suspected fraudulent bulk orders
MINDEF said in a Facebook post on Tuesday (23 Sept) night that it received reports of three new cases.
In previous cases, scammers reportedly contacted businesses over the phone or via WhatsApp.
The latest ones involve falsified procurement orders.
One copy of these fake orders bore the date 18 Sept and the title “Purchase order for event catering.”
It had a letterhead with the MINDEF and SAF logos, but an address along Beach Road that does not seem to correspond to any military installation.
Source: Ministry of Defence, Singapore (MINDEF) on Facebook
“Staff Sergeant Mr Tan Boon Siong,” who supposedly served as the “Manager of Procurement Office” for SAF and MINDEF, also signed it.
Report suspected fraudulent bulk orders to the police
MINDEF urged the public and all businesses to remain vigilant for fraudulent bulk orders.
It said the public should report any suspicious activities to the police.
Those with suspicions may also visit the ScamShield website, call the 24/7 anti-scam helpline at 1799, or download and use the Enhanced ScamShield app.
6 people arrested so far
Police have arrested six people so far—three men, one woman, and a teenage boy and girl—for suspected involvement in similar fake bulk order scams.
Authorities have charged one of them—22-year-old Sri Lankan Rajadi Rajasinghe Manamendra Patabadilage Vishwa Madavi—in court.
She allegedly disclosed her DBS bank account login password to an unknown person for an illegal purpose.
A 16-year-old boy also allegedly did the same thing.
And a 28-year-old man allegedly allowed the syndicate to use his Singpass credentials in exchange for money.
The remaining three allegedly assisted unknown individuals in subscribing to phone lines that investigators later linked to the bulk order scams.
MINDEF said in a Facebook post on 14 Sept that it was aware of seven such cases at the time and had made police reports about them.
The Singapore Police Force (SPF) said victims reported at least five cases since 4 Sept, with losses of at least S$32,000.
Businesses that had come forward are:
- Muhammad Shazain Faiha Muslim Food Paradise in Tiong Bahru Market
- Kiki Florist in King Albert Park
- Breaditation Bakery in Jalan Besar
- Yi Jia Bakery House Cafe in Upper Thomson
- Sedap Nasi Lemak in Novena
Additionally, individuals impersonating a Singapore Chinese Girls’ School (SCGS) staff member have targeted at least three more businesses with bulk order scams.
Also read: 3 more people arrested over bulk order scams, including 17-year-old girl
3 more people arrested over bulk order scams, including 17-year-old girl
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Featured image adapted from Ministry of Defence, Singapore (MINDEF) on Facebook.
