Traps Set in Parcel and Love Scams Leave Victims Bewildered
In Singapore, scammers have been setting up traps for unsuspecting victims through phone calls and social media chat rooms, leaving a trail of financial devastation in their wake.
The Challenge of Solving These Cases
According to the Attorney-General’s Chambers (AGC), even with only 0.1% of people falling prey to these scams, the absolute number of victims is still considerable. The AGC has also seen a more than doubling of workload for financial and commercial crimes from 2015 to 2018.
Investigating Scams
But what makes it so challenging to solve these cases? For one, investigators must painstakingly plough through mountains of documents just to find evidence. These documents include:
- Bank transaction records
- Audit reports
- Electronic communications records such as emails and text messages
“It’s like searching for a needle in a haystack,” said Mr. Ong, an investigator with the AGC. “After finding the evidence, there is still a need to process and organize the information in a way that helps prosecutors build their case.”
Tracing Masterminds Behind Criminal Networks
Another challenge lies in tracing the masterminds behind huge criminal networks. Many of these individuals are not based locally and conceal their network addresses. They also use money mules to withdraw cash from bank accounts and physically transfer the money overseas.
“It’s like trying to find a ghost,” said Mr. Leong, another investigator with the AGC. “They are experts at concealing their tracks.”
Jurisdictional Boundaries
Financial and commercial cases often involve transnational criminal elements, making it difficult for local authorities to get involved in investigations. However, if the crime took place in Singapore or the criminal proceeds eventually reached Singapore, local authorities can intervene.
International Cooperation
The AGC has worked closely with international financial centres such as the United States, the United Kingdom, and Switzerland to combat white-collar crime. Through sharing information and documents, they have been able to respond quickly and take effective action against persons of interest and their tainted assets in Singapore.
Recovering Lost Monies
But can victims recover their lost monies? Unfortunately, it’s not always possible. Even if a suspect’s assets are frozen once investigations begin, the victim may not be able to recover the full amount lost.
Accused persons often take risks in committing crimes because they face financial difficulties, such as gambling losses and mounting credit card debts, and therefore will not deposit ill-gotten gains into banks. While victims may opt to recover lost monies through civil proceedings, it’s still dependent on the accused person’s ability to pay back.
Punishment and Restitution
The prosecution’s top priority is to ensure that perpetrators of crime are duly punished. Where possible, they will also help victims to recover their lost monies. In some cases, if the accused is willing to make restitution to the victim, the prosecution may consider reducing charges.
As Singapore continues to fight against parcel and love scams, it’s clear that cooperation with international authorities and a commitment to justice are crucial in bringing perpetrators to book and helping victims recover from these devastating crimes.