Police Warns Public About Kidnapping Scam SMS That Demands $5K

By
Boon Hun
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We all know all about scams. Yet at the same time, when it comes to crunch time, we’ll lose all common sense and fall to them.

Here, take a look at a video we’ve done in collaboration with the Singapore Police Force to spread awareness about scams:

(Since you’re here, subscribe to our YouTube Channel for more videos like this lah)

So, moving on.

What would happen to you if you received this message in the middle of the day?

Image: Singapore Police Force Facebook Page

Response one: The only daughter you have is a cute little girl that might exist a couple of years down the road. Provided any woman is willing to stay with you for life.

Response Two: You reply with this: “Hi, please touch up on your grammar. It should be ‘I’ve kidnapped your daughter. If you want your daughter to be safe, bank in $5,000 now. DON’T REPORT THIS TO THE POLICE; IF YOU REPORT, I’LL KILL HER.'”

Response Three: You call your daughter immediately and find that she’s safe and sound.

Response Four: You have a daughter, you rush to a bank and you transfer the money immediately.

Now, don’t laugh.

Because as unlikely as the fourth response seems to be, there’s still a chance that some people might just fall into that category.

Which is why scams are scary.

You mass send a thousand messages, and even if three people decided not to risk it, you’d have earned $15,000.

Just like that.

Read Also: New Ride-Hailing Firm in S’pore Provides Fixed Monthly Pay + CPF & Annual Leave

Singapore Police Force Warns About Kidnap Scams

On 20 Aug 2018, the Singapore police force alert the public to a kidnap scam happening in Singapore right now.

People received an SMS saying that their loved ones were kidnapped. The message proceeded to demand $5,000 from the recipient, asking for it to be transferred to a bank account.

Or harm will fall on their victim.

The police clarified that they’ve received numerous reports about these SMSes and urge the public not to transfer any money to the account.

What should you do instead:

  • Remain calm and don’t transfer money immediately
  • Call your loved one and ensure that she’s safe
  • Do not reply to the SMS. Block and report the number as spam.

And if you want, you can call the Police hotline at 1800-255-0000 or submit information online at www.police.gov.sg/iwitness.

Don’t ever think that submitting information on such scams is like making a mountain out of a molehill.

After all, it’s because of reports that the Singapore Police Force knew that something is going on.

And proceed to warn the public about it.

If you’ve reported this, you might have saved another victim from falling for the scam. What a hero!

Scams come in all shapes and sizes

There are different types of scams out there.

A woman managed to scam a few victims on Carousell using JJ Lin and NDP tickets. They made payment via bank transfer for the tickets but didn’t receive what they paid for.

Then, the seller disappeared.

The suspect was subsequently arrested by the police.

Then, there are the phishing attempts.

And the list goes on and on.

But at the end of the day, here’s the moral of the story.

Don’t scared paiseh and just verify if it’s a scam or not. Like what this guy did with Singtel.

Because which would you rather lose. Money or some pride?

I’ll choose the former, but that’s also because my miser boss isn’t paying me enough *hintbosshint* *bossyouveryhandsome*

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Boon Hun
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