At least $15.7 million lost to ‘fake friend’ scams this year

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At least $15.7 million lost to ‘fake friend’ scams this year
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Scammers call or text their targets, posing as friends or acquaintances, and then ask for financial assistance. Read more at straitstimes.com.

SINGAPORE - Some 4,800 people have been duped by scammers posing as their friends or acquaintances this year, with losses amounting to at least $15.7 million.

When the victim replies with the name of a friend, the scammer assumes the identity of that friend and asks the victim to update his contact details. “Verify whether the request is legitimate by checking with your family, friends and acquaintances through alternative means such as physical meet-ups, video calls or e-mail other than using the new contact details on your phone,” the police said.

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