Woman told to pay fine for purchase of 50 slabs of sleeping pills, transfers $313,000 to scammers
An elderly woman was told by a "Chinese official" to pay fine for buying 50 slabs of sleeping pills and transferred $313,000 to scammers.
She went to the bank on Oct 11, 2024, and was attended by UOB staff member Kuek Vee Han.
The woman wanted to transfer $68,000 to a purported government official overseas.
Recognising that this might be a scam, Mr Kuek and his supervisor, Ms Emilita Lim Ya Qi, interviewed the customer who said she was contacted by someone who claimed that he was an official from China's Ministry of Health.
He informed her that someone had used her identity to purchase 50 slabs of sleeping pills, for which she had to pay a fine. The woman was convinced that this allegation was genuine and disclosed her particulars.
Before going to the bank, she had transferred about $313,000 to the scammers via internet banking.
Mr Kuek and Ms Lim's intervention prevented her from transferring more money and they advised her to lodge a police report.
On March 11, the duo were presented with the Community Partnership Award by the Commander of Bedok Police Division, Assistant Commissioner of Police (AC) Justin Wong, for their strong partnership with the police in preventing the commission of a scam.
Also receiving the award were UOB staff members Wong Yao Shi and Ng Kai Wei.
On Jan 9, Mr Wong attended to a female customer who needed help transferring money via PayNow to a local number that he believed to be involved in a job scam.
Mr Wong then sought the help of Ms Ng and Ms Lim who tried to convince the customer that she was a potential scam victim.
Despite sharing real-life examples of job scams online, the customer remained unconvinced.
Realising the gravity of the situation, Ms Lim contacted the Community Policing Unit Officers from Bedok Neighbourhood Police Centre who met with the customer at the bank.
It was only after this combined effort from the police and bank staff that the customer accepted that it was a scam and agreed not to transfer the money.
AC Wong said "Our physical crime rate has remained stable, but scams continue to be a scourge for Singaporeans.
"However, scams can be prevented, as these alert men and women have demonstrated. Their quick actions and partnership with the police make all the difference."
