- A 65-year-old retiree in Singapore loses over a million dollars to a Facebook friend scam in 15 days.
- The scammer posed as a CEO of an interior design firm based in Britain.
- Elderly scams are on the rise in Singapore, with losses amounting to S$334.5 million in the first half of the year.
The Straits Times reports on an alarming increase in scams involving senior citizens in Singapore.
An Unfortunate Story
Madam Tan, a Singaporean retiree, lost everything.
Her lifeline, a sum of over a million dollars, disappeared in just 15 days.
All because of a strange Facebook friend.
The Facebook Friend Scam Setup
The new friend claimed to be a CEO of an interior design firm in Britain.
He needed help, he said. He needed her to facilitate payments for his business.
He persuaded her with fake bank transfers and transfer statements.
How It Unfolded
Trusting her new friend, Madam Tan parted with at least S$20,000 each time.
In less than half a month, she had transferred a total of S$1,078,053.62.
She believed she was helping. But she was a victim of a Facebook friend scam.
The Discovery
One day, a call from Malaysia.
Her business partner, they said, had been detained at the airport for carrying too much cash.
To clear his name, she needed to pay S$98,000.
But her son stepped in. He sniffed out the scam.
Attempts to contact the alleged scammers led nowhere
The numbers were dead; the messaging app was inactive.
The Consequences
Madam Tan’s future is now uncertain. Her 40 years of savings are gone.
She has incurred debts due to a bank loan. She has filed two police reports.
The police and various banks are investigating.
The Larger Issue: Rising Scam Cases
Madam Tan’s case is not unique.
Scams targeting seniors in Singapore are increasing.
Statistics reveal 13,576 reported scam cases in the first half of 2023.
Total lost were S$334.5 million.
Avoiding Such Scams
Vigilance is crucial. Be wary of unsolicited calls or emails.
Verify information before sharing personal details.
Keep passwords secure and updated.
Final Words
Scammers are clever. But we can be wiser.
Let’s look out for our seniors.
After all, our small efforts can make huge differences.
Have you had any encounter any Facebook friend scam targeting the elderly?
