A National University of Singapore (NUS) student became the victim of an elaborate scam by individuals posing as police officers, resulting in forced isolation, coerced financial transfers, and round-the-clock remote monitoring.
Incident Timeline
The sequence began when the student received a text message, quickly followed by a call from people claiming to be law enforcement officials.
Over several weeks, the scammers kept up communication through multiple channels, including phone and video calls alongside messaging apps.
During this sustained contact, the scammers instructed the student to cut all ties with friends, family, and social media.
The student was told to remain visible via webcam or available for voice calls for most of the day, reported The Straits Times.
Tactics Used Against the Victim
Fraudsters provided falsified documents that appeared to come from government agencies and financial institutions.
They imposed a regime that required daily activity reports and even encouraged students to record “confession” videos.
The student was also compelled to send money to overseas accounts. Specific figures were not revealed by NUS or the police due to the ongoing investigation.
Official Response
NUS has confirmed that the victim filed a police report and that investigations are active.
The university withheld details about the amount lost and the precise timeline, citing law enforcement procedures.
Ongoing Police Investigations
The Singapore Police Force is involved, and NUS has circulated alerts to raise awareness of tactics used by impostors.
As of 3 Oct 2025, the incident remains under investigation, with authorities warning the public to ignore unsolicited messages from unknown contacts, especially those claiming to be from government agencies.
Singapore universities have previously worked with police to advise students on scams involving identity theft, coercion, and money transfers, especially in cases where international students are often targeted.
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