DPM Tharman Used In Ridiculous Ad To Endorse Bitcoin For Singaporeans

DPM Tharman Erroneously Called A “Venture Capitalist” Who Brought Bitcoin To Singapore

So Deputy Prime Minister (DPM) Tharman Shanmugaratnam endorses bitcoin now and has a sure-win formula to make you rich in just 7 days!

NOT.

Monetary Authority of Singapore (MAS) recently called out a ridiculous article which featured DPM Tharman as a “venture capitalist” who brought cryptocurrency to Singapore.

The cover picture even featured DPM Tharman’s image and false comments that he did not make.

All with the intention to phish for readers’ bank and credit card details through the creation of a bitcoin account.

Let’s break down the ‘sponsored post’ shall we?

Source

1. Dodgy URL

The first giveaway is an extremely dodgy sounding URL, “positivebathhour.com”.

We’re not sure if the site’s encouraging you to have 1-hour long ‘positive baths’, or to give you content to make your bath hour positive.

But we’re certain it’s hard to trust a site with a URL like this to dispense sound financial advice.

 

2. Article is categorised under “Health e-News”

Complete with a sun icon, the “HEALTH-E NEWS” logo emblazoned on the article is another dead giveaway for #fakenews.

Or maybe it’s a clever pun for health-y news?

3. We are “Singaporians”

Although ‘Singaporeans’ are mostly spelled correctly in other instances, the headline is embarrassing to say the least.

Then again, this spelling is probably true to how most Singaporians say it in daily life.

4. Legit news outlet endorsements

The article includes a striking banner that boasts of the content being featured on 5 other legit news outlets like:

  • BBC World News
  • Daily Mail
  • Channel NewsAsia
  • CNN International
  • Straits Times

Given that CNA and ST’s logos are missing the names of the news outlets, we’re honestly not buying it.

5. Random ‘BREAKING NEWS’ anchor

To add to the ‘legitimacy’ of their report, a random picture of a female news anchor in a bright red dress was badly photoshopped into the composite cover picture.

The only thing breaking here is our brains at how people could fall for this.

6. Pic of Tharman looking serious

A 2013 picture belonging to Reuters was used to depict DPM Tharman looking serious about his method to “make you rich in 7 days”.

The Google image search function turned up the picture within the first 30 results.

Here it is in its natural habitat.

Source

7. ‘Virtual Singapore’ is a thing?

In the writer’s own words,

Virtual Singapore, the digital map of the country rendered in virtual reality and based on real-time dynamic data is a brand new technology made by Singaporeans best developers.

Singapore’s best developers apparently created a VR reality for us, without telling a soul.

Shame on them.

Intention to mislead

MAS added that the article was intentionally written to mislead & deceive readers.

In the rest of the article, statements credited to DPM Tharman were “completely false”, except for his comments on “trading volumes in cryptocurrency” being “low in Singapore”.

Readers are reminded not to provide any information – both personal and financial – to such websites, and to “exercise extreme caution”.

Call the cops if you see this

Cryptocurrency investments remain a highly risky venture, especially after the volatile bitcoin boom earlier this year.

As for DPM Tharman, we know you’ll always have our backs when it comes to sound investment advice.

If you do spot similar fraudulent articles online, however, do report them immediately to the Police.

Featured image from Factually and Monetary Authority of Singapore featured on Channel NewsAsia.

The Must Share News Team

Teamwork makes the dream work.

Recent Posts

Passenger on US flight slammed for bringing Great Dane as ’emotional support’ dog

On the other hand, some said they'd prefer sitting next to a massive dog than…

23 Dec 2024, 10:12 am

Nearly 20 cats abandoned in Bedok flat filled with rubbish, some injured after jumping from windows

Some sustained injuries after jumping from windows, while others starved to death.

23 Dec 2024, 9:52 am

Continuous heavy traffic expected at S’pore-JB checkpoints till end of 2024: ICA

A record of more than 553,000 travellers crossed both checkpoints on 13 Dec.

22 Dec 2024, 7:25 pm

H5N1 poses ‘highest risk’ of becoming next pandemic, S’pore health authorities monitoring situation

There has been no year-end Covid-19 wave, as had been expected.

22 Dec 2024, 6:42 pm

Wagyu beef worth S$5,700 found in car entering JB from S’pore, M’sian driver arrested

The beef was imported without a veterinary health certificate and halal certification.

22 Dec 2024, 5:40 pm

Long queue forms at Jalan Besar Stadium for tickets to ASEAN Championship semi-final

One fan started queueing as early as 7am.

22 Dec 2024, 4:50 pm