A 38-year-old woman has been arrested by the Singapore police for her suspected involvement in several cases of online love scams. On Monday, the authorities said in a press release that the victims were cheated of at least S$216,000 in total.
The police said that several reports were lodged early last month. Reportedly, the online scammers had asked the victims to transfer money to various local bank accounts.
The police said that the scammers first gained the victims' trust and then would ask them to transfer money for various "fictitious purposes" such as for business loans, legal fees or courier fees for parcels that the scammers claim to be sending to the victims.
The Commercial Affairs Department conducted investigations that revealed that the bank account holders had passed the cash to the suspect, who then allegedly carried the money out of Singapore and delivered it to members of the scam syndicate.
The press release added that the woman will be charged in court on Tuesday. Her offences include failing to give reports when moving cash of more than S$20,000 out of Singapore.
According to the police, online love scams remain a serious concern in Singapore. A total of 349 cases have been reported in the first six months of 2017, whereas last year 277 cases were reported during the same period.
For more information on scams, the authorities have urged the members of the public to call 1-800-722-6688 or visit scamalert.sg.
