Profile of Victims of Internet Love Scams
Ministry of Home AffairsSpeakers
Summary
This question concerns the demographics of internet love scam victims and the strategic measures implemented by the Ministry of Home Affairs to combat these crimes. MP Melvin Yong Yik Chye inquired about typical victim profiles, public education efforts, and the availability of financial recovery or counseling for those affected. Senior Parliamentary Secretary Amrin Amin replied that victims are predominantly females aged 30 to 60 targeted through social media, highlighting awareness initiatives like the Anti-Scam Helpline and the National Crime Prevention Council. He noted that the Transnational Commercial Crime Task Force has seized over $1 million and disrupted 300 bank accounts, while the Police continue to collaborate with international agencies and social media platforms. Senior Parliamentary Secretary Amrin Amin concluded that while victims can seek support through Family Service Centres, prevention remains the primary defense as the borderless nature of these scams makes fund recovery difficult.
Transcript
11 Mr Melvin Yong Yik Chye asked the Minister for Home Affairs with regard to the rising Internet love scams that resulted in $37 million of losses in 2017 (a) what is the typical profile of these victims; (b) what has been done to raise awareness of such scams to this group; and (c) what plans does the Ministry have to further reduce the risk of Singaporeans being cheated by such Internet love scams.
The Senior Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister for Home Affairs (Mr Amrin Amin) (for the Minister for Home Affairs): A significant proportion of victims of Internet Love Scams are female and between 30 and 60 years old. The scammers mainly befriend their victims through social media and dating platforms, such as Facebook, Instagram, Tinder and OkCupid, winning their trust over time before cheating them of their money.
The Police have been working with partners, such as the National Crime Prevention Council (NCPC), to step up public education on Internet Love Scams. We put out advisory messages through multiple platforms, including newspapers, television, roadshows, posters on public transport, and social media. We have also set up an Anti-Scam Helpline 1800-722-6688, and we also have the www.scamalert.sg website.
Police have been stepping up enforcement. A significant proportion of Internet Love Scams are committed remotely by foreign syndicates. The Police will continue to work closely with foreign law enforcement counterparts to crack down on overseas syndicates targeting Singaporeans.
In October 2017, the Police set up the Transnational Commercial Crime Task Force (TCTF), which will also look into tackling transnational Internet Love Scams. Since its formation, TCTF has seized more than $1 million and closed around 300 bank accounts belonging to money mules who were involved in such scams. This has led to a steady decline in reports of such scams from about 100 cases in September 2017, to about 40 in February 2018.
The Police also work with Facebook to take down accounts that are used by scam syndicates. We intend to engage other major social media companies to do the same.
Mr Speaker: Mr Melvin Yong.
Mr Melvin Yong Yik Chye (Tanjong Pagar): Mr Speaker, I thank the Senior Parliamentary Secretary for the reply. I think such Love Scams have been around for quite a number of years and it is quite worrying that people continue to fall prey to these scams. I hope the Police can review the effectiveness of our Public Education programmes and see whether we can do more to prevent people from falling for such scams.
I have two supplementary questions. One, with reference to such Internet Love Scams, how much money has actually been recovered by the Police and returned to the victims? Two, many of the victims, in particular, those who may have lost their entire life savings to such scams would be significantly affected, both financially and mentally, especially those who are more aged. Are there any forms of assistance, such as counselling, provided for such victims to aid in their recovery? If not, are there any plans to have such forms of assistance?
Mr Amrin Amin: We share the Member's concern on Internet Love Scams and would like to assure the hon Member that we will continuously review our outreach strategies and ensure their effectiveness.
On the question of how much money has been recovered, as I mentioned just now, TCTF has seized more than $1 million and closed about 300 bank accounts. The Police will apply to the Courts to ensure that the money gets recovered to the rightful owners.
However, I should emphasise that the nature of Internet Love Scams is such that they are typically borderless and involves transnational syndicates. As a result, despite the Police's best efforts, it may be difficult to retrieve the money and return it to the rightful owners.
But nonetheless, we will try our very best to review our strategies and strengthen our coordination with international agencies as well as other countries' police forces.
On the issue of support, there are various places where victims can seek support. Social service organisations are one, grassroots organisations as well as Family Service Centres are others. I should, however, emphasise that prevention is always better than cure, and it is important to heed the Police's educational messages. One simple message is not to send money to people whom we do not know well.