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Over 50 victims in Singapore lose S$18,000 to Telegram scammers this year since January

Singaporean authorities have issued a warning about a new Telegram scam affecting over 50 people, resulting in losses of S$18,000. Scammers gain access to victims’ accounts, extort money, and use sensitive content.

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1 year ago

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SINGAPORE: Singaporean authorities issued a warning about a new social media impersonation scam involving the messaging application Telegram.

This variant has affected at least 50 people since January, resulting in losses of at least S$18,000 (US$13,300).

The Singapore Police Force (SPF) and the Cyber Security Agency of Singapore (CSA) jointly issued the alert on 31 Aug.

In this scam, fraudsters gain control of victims’ Telegram accounts by deceiving them into providing their phone numbers and Telegram-generated login codes.

How the scam works

The scam presents itself in various ways, often involving compromised accounts of the victim’s acquaintances.

In some instances, victims find themselves added to covert Telegram chats by scammers posing as friends or known contacts.

Subsequently, these victims are requested to supply a screenshot of their Telegram chat history.

This screenshot inadvertently exposes a Telegram-generated login code.

This is because the scammers simultaneously activate a Telegram login code for the victim’s account, unbeknownst to them.

Another scenario involves victims being asked to assist in locating a Telegram user by searching for specific usernames in their chat history.

Photo: SPF, CSA

Invariably, the resulting screenshot includes a Telegram login code.

Another approach employed by scammers involves convincing victims to assist in verifying or unblocking a restricted Telegram account of one of their contacts.

Photo: SPF, CSA

In this scenario, victims are instructed to send a request to a Telegram handle that pretends to be a customer service bot.

Subsequently, the bot may either request the victims’ personal information and their Telegram login codes or send deceptive URL links disguised as verification buttons, purportedly enabling their “friend” to access the victim’s Telegram account.

In addition, scammers may request victims to aid in securing a free Telegram membership.

Victims are misled into participating by clicking on a link that grants scammers access to their accounts, ultimately resulting in victims losing control of their Telegram accounts.

Then, the scammers will proceed to target the victims’ contacts once they gain control of the Telegram accounts.

They employ the same tactics to seize control of these contacts’ Telegram accounts or demand money to perpetuate the scheme.

According to the authorities, the victims only realise they have been scammed when they discover their Telegram account is no longer under their control or when the loan is not repaid.

In some instances, scammers gain access to sensitive content, such as photographs and videos, within victims’ Telegram chats.

This information is then leveraged for extortion from both the victims and their contacts.

To safeguard against falling victim to such scams, the authorities recommend the following precautionary measures:

Install the ScamShield App and enable security features like two-factor or multi-factor authentication for their bank, social media, and Singpass accounts.

The public should implement transaction limits for Internet banking, including PayNow.

Next, promptly report any fraudulent transactions to their bank.

The public should also block and report suspicious senders on Telegram.

If their account has been compromised, report it to Telegram support and inform their family and friends to prevent them from becoming targets of impersonation by scammers.

Additionally, report incidents involving Telegram account takeovers to SingCERT via the online incident reporting form.

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Crime

Singaporean fugitive deported from Thailand, to be charged with drug trafficking

A Singaporean fugitive arrested in Thailand, was deported to Singapore on 19 September 2024 and faces drug trafficking charges. Authorities expect him to face the death penalty under Singapore’s tough drug laws for running a smuggling operation between Thailand, Australia, and Singapore.

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2 hours ago

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19 September 2024

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A 31-year-old Singaporean man, wanted for drug trafficking offences, was arrested in Thailand and deported to Singapore on 19 September 2024.

The fugitive, identified as Benny Kee Soon Chuan, was apprehended by Thai police at his residence near Bangkok’s Suvarnabhumi Airport and will face charges in court on 20 September.

Kee, described as a high-level trafficker, ran a smuggling operation that trafficked crystal methamphetamine, ketamine, and Ecstasy to Australia and Singapore using Thailand as a transit hub, according to Pol Lt Gen Panurat Lakboon, secretary-general of Thailand’s Office of the Narcotics Control Board (ONCB).

Cross-Border Investigation and Arrest

The Central Narcotics Bureau (CNB) of Singapore had issued an arrest warrant for Kee following investigations into two drug trafficking cases in December 2020 and November 2022.

He had been on the run since 11 April 2016, prompting CNB to collaborate with its international counterparts, including the ONCB. Thai authorities were tipped off by CNB on 12 August 2024, and after weeks of investigation, Kee was apprehended on 17 September.

Thai immigration officials revealed that Kee had entered Thailand earlier in 2024 using a Vanuatu passport.

Following his arrest, Kee’s Thai visa was cancelled, and assets worth 15 million baht (S$585,000), including luxury watches, gold pieces, and a luxury car, were seized during a raid on his residence in Samut Prakan.

Lt Gen Panurat confirmed that the fugitive had been living an affluent lifestyle in Thailand despite lacking legitimate employment.

Links to Broader Drug Network

Kee is believed to be linked to other Singaporean traffickers involved in the smuggling of drugs from Thailand.

In March 2021, Thailand’s Anti-Trafficking in Persons Task Force (AITF) intercepted packages containing Ecstasy and ketamine destined for Singapore, as well as crystal methamphetamine bound for Australia.

Two other Singaporean men, aged 21 and 29 at the time of their arrests, were later sentenced to imprisonment and caning in Singapore for their involvement in these operations, which were connected to Kee’s trafficking network.

Death Penalty Under Singaporean Law

Kee’s deportation to Singapore brings him under the jurisdiction of Singapore’s severe drug laws, which prescribe the death penalty for those convicted of trafficking substantial amounts of controlled substances.

Singaporean authorities have indicated that he could face the death penalty under the country’s strict drug trafficking laws. Pol Lt Gen Panurat indicated that Singaporean authorities are expected to seek the maximum penalty for Kee’s alleged offences.

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Crime

Islamic firm CEO among 19 arrested in Malaysia’s charity home abuse scandal

The CEO of Islamic firm Global Ikhwan Services and Business Holdings (GISBH) and his wife were among 19 arrested by Malaysian authorities on Thursday for alleged child abuse linked to their charity homes. Last week, police rescued 402 children from these homes. Investigations revealed a horrifying network of abuse, with at least 13 children allegedly sodomised or taught to sexually assault others.

Published

6 hours ago

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19 September 2024

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MALAYSIA: In a major crackdown, Malaysian police have arrested several members of Global Ikhwan Services and Business Holdings (GISBH) top management, including CEO Nasiruddin Ali and his wife.

The arrests were made in a special operation conducted by Bukit Aman’s criminal investigation department at multiple locations.

As of 19 September, total of 19 people were detained, including the CEO’s two children and the child of former Al-Arqam leader Ashaari Muhammad.

Among those arrested are 12 men and seven women, aged between 30 and 65.

Inspector-General of Police Razarudin Husain confirmed the arrests and promised to provide updates soon.

The arrests come on the heels of a significant child sexual abuse scandal involving GISBH.

Last week, police rescued 402 children from 20 welfare homes linked to the organization in Selangor and Negeri Sembilan.

They also arrested 171 people, including an ustaz and a hostel warden.

The case sent shockwaves throughout the country as investigations revealed a horrifying network of child abuse.

At least 13 of the rescued children were allegedly sodomized or taught to sexually assault others.

GISBH initially denied operating the welfare homes and rejected the allegations of abuse.

However, Nasiruddin later admitted that cases of sodomy had occurred within the organization in the past, while denying any deviant teachings.

In a related development, three men linked to GISBH pleaded not guilty in a Seremban court to charges of sexually assaulting boys aged between nine and 11 at a religious school associated with the organisation.

The alleged assaults took place between 2022 and 2023 in Kuala Pilah, Negeri Sembilan.

Additionally, another man was charged in Putrajaya for allegedly threatening a woman to withdraw a police report against GISBH.

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