38-year-old man arrested for alleged e-commerce scams selling Lululemon products on Carousell
Police received several reports of the man allegedly failing to deliver the items and becoming uncontactable after receiving payments
SINGAPORE — A 38-year-old man has been arrested for his suspected involvement in a series of e-commerce scams relating to Lululemon products, said the police in a news release on Thursday (4 April).
The Singapore Police Force said it received several reports in February from victims who were purportedly cheated by an online seller who had advertised Lululemon products on online marketplace Carousell. After receiving the victims' payments via PayNow or bank transfer, the man allegedly failed to deliver the items and became uncontactable.
Through follow up investigations, police officers from the Ang Mo Kio Police Division established the identity of the man, and arrested him on Wednesday. Preliminary investigations found that he is believed to be involved in other similar reports with losses amounting over S$700.
The man has been charged in court on Friday with the offence of cheating. He could face a jail term of up to 10 years and a fine.
Precautions for online purchases
The police has advised the public to take the following precautions when making online purchases:
If the price is too good to be true, it probably is. Purchase only from authorised sellers or reputable sources, especially for high-value items.
Opt for buyer protection by using in-built payment options that release payment to the seller only upon delivery.
Whenever possible, avoid making advance payments or direct bank transfers to the seller as this method does not offer any protection.
"Scammers may entice buyers to contact them directly through messaging platforms such as WhatsApp or WeChat by offering a better or faster deal if bank transfer payments are made directly to them," said the police.
"They may also use a local bank account or provide a copy of a NRIC/driver’s license to make you believe that they are genuine sellers. Do not fall for it."
More information on scams can be found on the Scam Alert website, or by calling the anti-scam helpline (1800-722-6688). Anyone with information on such scams may call the police hotline (1800-255-0000) or submit information online via I-Witness.
Do you have a story tip? Email: sgnews.tips@yahooinc.com.
You can also follow us on Facebook, Instagram, TikTok and Twitter. Also check out our Southeast Asia, Food, and Gaming channels on YouTube.
