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Singapore woman loses S$37,000 to scam involving thunder tea rice advertisement

A woman lost S$37,000 after clicking a deceptive link from a homemade thunder tea rice ad, unwittingly installing phishing software.

The victim urged others to stay vigilant. Similar scams are on the rise.

Published

1 year ago

on

SINGAPORE: The proliferation of cybercrimes using third-party applications remains a growing concern in today’s digital landscape.

In a recent incident, a woman became a victim of such a scam, losing a substantial sum of S$37,000 (US$27,140) as a result of clicking on a deceptive link that led to a phishing application.

This unfortunate occurrence unfolded after the unsuspecting victim clicked on a seemingly innocent link, inadvertently installing malicious phishing software.

This software enabled scammers to gain unauthorized access to her bank account, leading to a series of illicit transactions that ultimately left the victim with a mere six cents in her savings.

According to Shin Min Daily News, it began when 48-year-old Zhong Luo, perusing her social media feed on 2 September, came across an enticing advertisement for homemade thunder tea rice.

Intrigued, she clicked on the link, which directed her to a website offering the dish for the attractive price of S$7.90 (US$5.8), with a tempting buy-two-get-one-free deal.

Given the scarcity of thunder tea rice sellers in Singapore, Luo decided to purchase three servings for her family.

She initiated contact with the seller through a messaging app and was promptly provided with a link to input her delivery address.

Upon clicking this link, Luo unwittingly downloaded an app named “Grab and Go” onto her smartphone.

Loses over S$37,000 to scam

The following day, Luo noticed that her phone had become unresponsive, consistently returning to the home screen no matter what she did.

At 04.00 pm, she received a call from her bank alerting her to an unauthorized outgoing transfer of S$6,000 (US$4,400).

“I told the bank to freeze my account immediately as I hadn’t authorized the transfer,” Luo explained.

However, the situation took a dire turn two hours later at around 06.00 pm when the bank contacted Luo again.

This time, they informed her that three unauthorized transfers had been made from her account, totaling a staggering S$37,466 (US$27,480).

Luo promptly contacted the police, acknowledging her own mistake in clicking the deceptive link.

Nevertheless, she also pointed out that the bank shared some responsibility, as they should have acted faster to freeze her account when the initial transfer occurred at 04.00 pm.

“If the bank had acted more swiftly, it might have mitigated the problem,” she emphasized.

Warns others against falling for same scam

Luo revealed that the lost funds represented her hard-earned savings accumulated over the years, earmarked for her retirement.

Furthermore, her son was currently pursuing his education at a private college, with school fees amounting to S$6,000 (US$4,400) due that month.

Left with a mere S$0.06 (US$0.04) in her bank account, Ms. Luo and her husband found themselves compelled to borrow money to make ends meet.

In a plea to the public, Ms. Luo shared her harrowing experience, hoping that it would serve as a cautionary tale to prevent others from falling victim to similar scams.

Other cases with the same modus operandi

This incident bears a striking resemblance to other cases with the same modus operandi.

Recently, the Singapore police issued a warning regarding a mooncake scam that ensnared 27 individuals, resulting in total losses of S$325,000 (US$238,740) reported in the month of August.

The victims encountered fraudulent advertisements on social media platforms such as Facebook and Instagram. Upon contacting the supposed “sellers” through social messaging platforms, victims were directed to WhatsApp for payment.

However, these seemingly innocuous links led victims to download an Android Package Kit (APK) file containing malicious software designed for Android’s operating system.

This access provided scammers with the means to pilfer passwords and access banking credentials, ultimately leading to unauthorized transactions from victims’ bank accounts.

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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.

Published

8 hours ago

on

19 September 2024

By

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

11 hours ago

on

19 September 2024

By

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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