You are reading: Urgent money transfers, Series 4 of 5 in Spot The Signs

E-COMMERCE SCAM SIGNS
- You see a deal online for popular items, often electronic gadgets, that are priced below market rates.
- The deal is presented as limited time only for an urgent flash deal.
- The "seller" insists or encourage you to take the conversation off the platform or make payment through direct bank transfers rather than through the payment options offered by the platform
- The "seller" account could be set up very recently or has few or no reviews.
SOCIAL MEDIA IMPERSONATION / WHATSAPP TAKEOVER SCAM SIGNS
- You receive a message from a "friend" asking you for help. They then ask you to buy iTunes or other gift cards for them.
- You could also receive a message from a "friend" asking you for bank details and one-time passwords for online shopping accounts to help you claim prizes for lucky draw.
- You receive a message from a "friend" asking you for your WhatsApp verification code.
- You have trouble logging into your online account(s)
- There are unauthorised transactions on your online or bank accounts, or your phone data bill is larger than usual


CHINA OFFICIAL IMPERSONATION SCAM SIGNS
- You receive a call for someone claiming to be a government official, an employee or representative of bank, courier company or renowned organisation.
- They link you to pending court cases, your mobile number being used in a crime, claim that your Wi-Fi has been compromised, or other urgent request that require your immediate attention.
- They ask you for your personal particulars, bank account details, and OTPs.
- They threaten to escalate matters to the police or someone of higher authority if you do not cooperate.
- Some may sound helpful and offer assistance to help you resolve the impending issues only if you cooperate by giving them what they need.
INTERNET LOVE SCAM SIGNS
- You are approached by an attractive person, often a foreigner, online. He or she tells a tale about falling into trouble or hard times.
- They ask you to transfer money, buy gift cards, Google Play cards, Steam cards or iTunes cards, or invest/receive money as proof of love
- They are reluctant to identify themselves via a video call or in-person


CREDIT-FOR-SEX SCAM SIGNS
- Unsolicited friend request from young, attractive men and women online, often through social media platform such as WeChat, Tinder or even Facebook.
- Request for upfront payments in the form of shopping credits or gifts cards in exchange for escort, massage or sexual services.
- Request to remit money via post offices, wire transfer services or the bank.
MONEY LAUNDERING SIGNS
- A stranger befriend you online and asks you to open a new bank account or use your existing bank account to receive money or send money to another person or company overseas.
- You see a job ad online for the position of "agent" for receiving and transferring money on behalf of the company.
- You are offered commission for helping to conduct transactions using your bank account on behalf of another person.
- The "employer" has no street address or ACRA details.


E-COMMERCE SCAM SIGNS
- You see a deal online for popular items, often electronic gadgets, that are priced below market rates.
- The deal is presented as limited time only for an urgent flash deal.
- The "seller" insists or encourage you to take the conversation off the platform or make payment through direct bank transfers rather than through the payment options offered by the platform
- The "seller" account could be set up very recently or has few or no reviews.

SOCIAL MEDIA IMPERSONATION / WHATSAPP TAKEOVER SCAM SIGNS
- You receive a message from a "friend" asking you for help. They then ask you to buy iTunes or other gift cards for them.
- You could also receive a message from a "friend" asking you for bank details and one-time passwords for online shopping accounts to help you claim prizes for lucky draw.
- You receive a message from a "friend" asking you for your WhatsApp verification code.
- You have trouble logging into your online account(s)
- There are unauthorised transactions on your online or bank accounts, or your phone data bill is larger than usual

CHINA OFFICIAL IMPERSONATION SCAM SIGNS
- You receive a call for someone claiming to be a government official, an employee or representative of bank, courier company or renowned organisation.
- They link you to pending court cases, your mobile number being used in a crime, claim that your Wi-Fi has been compromised, or other urgent request that require your immediate attention.
- They ask you for your personal particulars, bank account details, and OTPs.
- They threaten to escalate matters to the police or someone of higher authority if you do not cooperate.
- Some may sound helpful and offer assistance to help you resolve the impending issues only if you cooperate by giving them what they need.

INTERNET LOVE SCAM SIGNS
- You are approached by an attractive person, often a foreigner, online. He or she tells a tale about falling into trouble or hard times.
- They ask you to transfer money, buy gift cards, Google Play cards, Steam cards or iTunes cards, or invest/receive money as proof of love
- They are reluctant to identify themselves via a video call or in-person

CREDIT-FOR-SEX SCAM SIGNS
- Unsolicited friend request from young, attractive men and women online, often through social media platform such as WeChat, Tinder or even Facebook.
- Request for upfront payments in the form of shopping credits or gifts cards in exchange for escort, massage or sexual services.
- Request to remit money via post offices, wire transfer services or the bank.

MONEY LAUNDERING SIGNS
- A stranger befriend you online and asks you to open a new bank account or use your existing bank account to receive money or send money to another person or company overseas.
- You see a job ad online for the position of "agent" for receiving and transferring money on behalf of the company.
- You are offered commission for helping to conduct transactions using your bank account on behalf of another person.
- The "employer" has no street address or ACRA details.
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