The Singapore Police Force has revealed that overall crime in Singapore fell to 29,668 cases in 2013 from 31,015 cases in 2012, a decline of 1,347 cases, or 4.3%, making it the lowest number recorded in the Lion City in three decades.
While the results are reflected by significant dips in four categories — crimes against persons, housebreaking, miscellaneous crimes and theft — there were notable increases in the number of commercial crimes and violent/serious property crimes.
Cheating crimes mainly involving e-commerce have increased more than two-fold, from 238 cases in 2012 to 509 cases in 2013.
SPF highlighted two types of e-commerce cheating cases; the Multiple Payment Online Purchase Scam, which increased by 217 cases, from 14 in 2012 to 231 cases in 2013 and the Internet Love Scam, which went up from 50 cases in 2012 to 81 cases in 2013.
The Multiple Payment Online Purchase Scam involves culprits who posed as sellers of smart phones/tablets. Instead of delivering the goods purchased by unsuspecting victims, the culprits will ask for further payments on the pretext of mixed delivery orders.
The Internet Love Scam involves suspects who mostly claim to be from Britain and target women searching for love online through dating or social networks. In such cases, the suspect would claim that he would be coming to Singapore to ask for the victim’s hand in marriage.
On the supposed day of arrival, the suspect would then call the victim claiming that he had been detained by Customs for carrying excess cash, and get the victim to transfer money to secure his release.
Noting a rising trend in Internet scams using the various forms of media and online platforms, the police urges the public to be wary and always check the credibility of information or messages from unknown sources to avoid falling victim to such preventable crimes.
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Photo: SPF
