Beware of mobile phone scams via Facebook: Singapore police

Police warn of mobile phone scams via Facebook (Photo: Singapore Police Force Facebook)
Police warn of mobile phone scams via Facebook (Photo: Singapore Police Force Facebook)

A number of victims have incurred charges to their mobile phone bills after they provided a three-digit PIN number to strangers whom they befriended on Facebook, the police warned on Monday (27 March).

In a post on their Facebook page, the police said the scammers initiated contact with the victims by sending a friend request via the social networking site. A number of the scammers even set up Facebook accounts similar to that of the victims’ friends.

After getting the victims’ mobile phone number and mobile service provider, the scammers made online purchases of gaming credits or online gift cards. The costs of such purchases were charged to the victims’ mobile phone bills after they provided the One Time Password (OTP)/Verification Code to the scammers.

The police advise the public not to share personal information with anyone and be wary of friend requests from strangers on social networking sites.

Anyone who discovers fraudulent charges in a mobile phone bill should report to the respective mobile service provider immediately. The public can also call the Anti-Scam Helpline at 1800-722-6688 or visit www.scamalert.sg.