Beware & Protect Yourself 07 (Jun 23 - Jan 24)

[winston]

Victims lose about S$220,000, including CPF savings, in Android malware scams

A 16-year-old was among nine people arrested for their suspected involvement in the phishing scam.

According to the police, victims had responded to advertisements on social media platforms like Facebook and were instructed by scammers to download mobile apps from third-party sites or via WhatsApp, resulting in malware being installed on their mobile devices.

"Unknown to the victims, the mobile applications, which contained the malware, enabled the scammers to access the victims’ mobile devices remotely and steal internet banking credentials, OTPs, Singpass credentials and other personal information found in the devices," said the police.

"With the stolen credentials, the scammers gained illegal access to the victims’ CPF accounts by accessing the victims’ Singpass app and bank accounts."

Source: CNA

https://www.channelnewsasia.com/singapo ... ed-3584666

[winston]

What is Pink WhatsApp? And why you shouldn’t download it on your phone

BY Alexander Wong

The Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC) urges the public not to download an app called Pink WhatsApp or also known as WhatsApp Pink.

This is a malicious application which can access your phone’s data such as photos, SMS and contact list, and it is seen as a serious security risk.

Once access is granted, the malware could potentially steal your online banking details including the OTP to authorise fraudulent transactions.

The Pink WhatsApp is supposedly distributed via WhatsApp as a link to download an APK file.

The app allegedly claims to offer better security and privacy features with a customised interface and the ability to transfer larger files than the legitimate WhatsApp app.

The MCMC urge users not to click on any suspicious links to download Pink WhatsApp. If you’ve already downloaded the app, you are urged to delete it immediately.

Source: Soya Cincau

https://soyacincau.com/2023/06/27/what- ... our-phone/

[behappyalways]

The old man must have thought he is going to have some 'happy' hour...


An old man in Yuen Chow Village met a woman for a ride, took him to a vacant unit in Cheung Sha Wan and snatched his Rolex and ring

老翁元州邨遇女子兜搭　帶到長沙灣空置單位　搶去勞力士及戒指｜01新聞｜突發｜青山道｜元州邨｜搶劫｜勞力士 #hongkongnews

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=Kpzlc2znUjI

[winston]

Man cheated 62 victims from at least 12 countries of S$383k in one of Singapore’s largest rental scams

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Man cheated 62 victims from at least 12 countries of S$383k in one of Singapore’s largest rental scams
Published Tue, Jun 27, 2023 · 5:55 pm

Sixty-two victims - from a range of countries and included Singaporeans - were scammed in one of the largest rental scams prosecuted till date. PHOTO: GIN TAY, ST
Rents

A FRENCH exchange student looking for a place to stay in Singapore contacted Gibson Zeng Xianfu after seeing his rental listing on Airbnb.

Between Feb 8 and 13, 2022, the student paid S$9,000 to secure the unit but before the agreed move-in date, Zeng, 29, claimed it was unavailable and offered another date or a refund.

The victim received neither and, after arriving here without a place to stay, had to look for alternative accommodation.

He was one of 62 victims from at least 12 countries, including Singapore, who were scammed of nearly S$383,000 by Zeng in one of the largest rental scams here, said the prosecution.

Source: Business Times

https://www.businesstimes.com.sg/proper ... ntal-scams

[behappyalways]

At least 4 S'poreans among 2,724 suspected human trafficking victims rescued in the Philippines
https://mothership.sg/2023/06/4-sporean ... ms-manila/

[winston]

127 M’sians identified as victims of Philippine forced labour syndicate

The Foreign Ministry has identified a total of 127 Malaysian citizens who were victims of the dismantled Philippine Offshore Gaming Operator (Pogo) forced labour syndicate.

Source: Bernama

https://www.thestar.com.my/news/nation/ ... -syndicate

[winston]

Federal government launches National Anti-Scams Centre to tackle scams and raise consumer awareness

Its first operation will tackle investment scams, which cost Australians over $1 billion a year

Investment scams currently account for over 50 per cent of all scam losses, costing Australians over $1 billion a year.

Source: abc.net

https://www.abc.net.au/news/2023-07-03/ ... =291917007

[winston]

Hong Kong scams using AI? Police issue warning as fake clip of bank CEO tricks victim, man flags blackmail attempt with doctored sex video

Japanese man reports being tricked by video showing ‘Hong Kong bank CEO’ describing new product

Police urge people to look for telltale signs in fake videos, [b]especially in eye and mouth movements

by Jess Ma

Source: SCMP

https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/law ... e=homepage

[winston]

Woman who tried to sell designer bag on Carousell lost nearly S$10,000 instead

The woman, who wants to be known as Lee, was targeted by scammers who posed as buyers on Carousell.

On June 21, the scammers expressed interest in her bag and one of them claimed to have made a payment for it via CarouPay, an in-app payment method on the platform.

An e-mail then arrived in Lee’s inbox, confirming that she had received payment on CarouPay. However, she did not have that payment method set up.

In order for the payment to be processed, she was prompted to click on a link in the e-mail, which directed her to what appeared to be a Carousell website.

On the website, she was asked to set up CarouPay in order to receive the payment.

After she completed the steps, Lee received two transfer notices informing her that $9,900 from her account was being remitted overseas.

Source: Straits Times

https://www.thestar.com.my/aseanplus/as ... e=smartech

[winston]

At least S$480,000 lost in concert ticket scams since January, over 460 in Singapore cheated

Victims would come across advertisements for concert tickets on e-commerce or social media platforms such as Carousell, Xiaohongshu, Facebook, Telegram and Twitter.

They would then contact the scammers via the platform's in-app messaging function or be redirected to messaging apps such as WhatsApp, Telegram or WeChat to purchase the tickets.

When asked if the tickets were authentic, scammers would then provide screenshots and videos of fake tickets or receipts.

Upon receiving the payments, scammers would then delay delivery of the tickets by claiming that they were unable to transfer the tickets to the victims. They would subsequently become uncontactable.

Victims who received tickets via email or WhatsApp would only realise that they had been cheated when the tickets were found to be invalid on the day of the concert, or when scammers refused to provide physical tickets.

Source: CNA

https://www.channelnewsasia.com/singapo ... ay-3610701