According to the WeChat public account of the Chinese Embassy in Singapore, recently, the Chinese Embassy in Singapore has received reports of several cases where Chinese citizens have been victims of fraud by 'fake officials'. The victims are mostly students and workers, and the total amount of money stolen amounts to over ten million RMB.
I. Scams
(1) Usually, calls are made pretending to be from the Immigration and Checkpoints Authority of Singapore, informing the person that there are illegal activities involved, and that non-cooperation with the investigation could result in deportation.
(II) Transferring the parties to so-called “public security agencies” in Shanghai and Guangzhou, China, threatening them with online surveillance and payment of immunity bonds in case they are suspected of major criminal offenses such as fraud and money laundering.
(III) Deceive the victim into fabricating excuses to ask for money from family and friends, or act as “money mules” or “police assistants”, resulting in the victim becoming an accomplice in someone else’s fraud case.
II. Recently, electric fraud has utilized cutting-edge technologies such as artificial intelligence and big data to achieve higher simulation levels and more targeted attacks. Transfer methods include both traditional remittances and cash, as well as virtual currencies that are difficult to track down. Therefore, the embassy once again solemnly reminds Chinese citizens to be highly vigilant against electric fraud conducted by “fake officials.”
(1) Remember three “absolutely not”: Chinese public security, procuratorial, and judicial authorities will absolutely not handle cases through phone calls, WeChat, or other means. They will absolutely not conduct video interrogations through overseas social platforms. Nor will they provide “safe accounts” for parties to make transfers remotely. Any organization that claims to be under the banner of “public security” or “court” is a fraud. Any request for cooperation in investigations or payment of deposits is a scam.
(II) Follow the “Three No’s and One More” principle: Do not click on unknown links, do not trust strangers who call, keep personal information confidential, and verify transfer and payment transactions carefully. If you receive a strange call, do not respond actively; if the caller plays a recording, hang up immediately. Stay calm when encountering problems, firmly refuse to give money, and protect important information such as your address and bank accounts. If necessary, you can call the embassy’s consular hotline for advice.
(III) Report to the police in a timely manner. If you are unfortunately deceived, you should report to the local police and contact the bank to freeze the transfer funds and accounts. If the funds were transferred through a domestic bank, please report to the local public security organs as soon as possible (contact number: 86 + area code + 110). If you cannot report directly, you may entrust a relative in your country to do so.
Singapore Police Hotline: 999 (call locally), +65 62550000
Singapore Anti-Fraud Hotline: 1799 (Dial locally)
Singapore Immigration Department Service Center Phone: +65 63916100
Ministry of Foreign Affairs Global Consular Protection and Service Emergency Hotline: +86-10-12308, +86-10-65612308 (24 hours)
Singapore Consulate's contact and assistance phone number: +65-64750165 (24 hours)
Consulate protection and assistance email: singapore_hr@csm.mfa.gov.cn
