Singaporeans are smart, right? Weโre one of the most educated countries in the world.
Most, if not all of us are proficient in at least two languages. And Singaporeโs going fast for the #SmartNation angle.
Yet at the same time, weโre being scammed out of our money left and right. Again, I ask, arenโt we supposed to be smart?
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Well, it seems weโre not, at least when it comes to scams.
Woman Arrested For JJ Lin & NDP Tickets Scam
In Aug 2018, two very significant events happened: National Day and JJ Linโs world tour concert in Singapore.
Correction: JJ Linโs sold out concert in Singapore and NDP tickets which you can only get through balloting.
Which made JJ Lin hardcore fans and super-patriotic Singaporeans desperate to get their hands on said tickets. Even if they have to pay a higher price to unverified third parties.
On 16 Aug, the Singapore Police Force (SPF) announced that theyโve arrested a woman suspected of selling NDP tickets and JJ Lin concert tickets but didnโt deliver.
The victims made payment through bank transfers when they came across the listings of the tickets on Carousell.
But after that, they didnโt receive the tickets and couldnโt get in touch with the seller.
If she is convicted of cheating, she can be sentenced to a maximum of 10 years jail time and fined as well.
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Never Make Upfront Payment
So rule of the thumb: what should you do to avoid getting scammed?
First, if itโs too good to be true, it usually is.
And second, always try not to pay the whole amount before you get the goods. I mean, thatโs how the saying ไธๆไบค้ฑไธๆไบค่ดง (exchange goods and money at the same time) came about.
Especially on Carousell, if the seller insists on getting the full amount first, chances are that personโs a scammer.
And even if they produce a screenshot of an identity card as assurance, donโt accept that because they mightโve stolen or picked that up somewhere.
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Last but not least, if you really need to buy stuff online, itโs usually better to go sites (or apps) that keeps the money for you until the stuff is in your hands.
Then, theyโll release the money to the seller, but only after confirmation is sent by your side. No confirmation, no money for the seller.
Read Also: 8 Things Sโporeans Shouldnโt Do to the Offerings During Hungry Ghost Festival, If Notโฆ
Moral of the Story: Never Make Upfront Payment.
Okay, I know that Iโve been indirectly calling you guys dumb. But Singaporeans arenโt dumb. What we are, instead, is emotional and greedy.
Especially when we see a good deal, we want to snap it up because weโre FOMO or Fear Of Missing Out.
Like a cheap PlayStation.
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Or when weโre so desperate that common sense disappears like my colleagueโs imaginary girlfriend.
I mean, come on, itโs illegal to re-sell NDP tickets, people.
But always rein yourself in, because you know whatโs the worst thing about getting scammed?
Itโs usually items that you really want to get. So imagine the double whammy of not being able to get that item and losing money on top of it.
Thatโs enough to drive any nice Singaporean crazy, thatโs for sure.
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Check out this website for more information about scams in Singapore. Trust me, every secondary school CME should include lessons about this website.
And watch more of our videos. Like this:
(Since youโre here, subscribe to our YouTube Channel for more informative videos lah)
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Would you be jailed for being half-naked in public? Well, the answer will shock you. Seriously. Watch this to the end and you'll understand:
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