Fake Friend Call Scams
Fake Friend Call Scams
Fake friend call scams typically involve scammers contacting victims via phone calls or WhatsApp, pretending to be their acquaintance. During the conversation, the scammers would claim that they had lost their mobile phone and changed phone number. After establishing rapport, the scammers would capitalise on the perceived friendship and seek money from the victims for various reasons. The common reasons offered by scammers for these “loans” were to pay contractors for renovation fees, pay for costs relating to the opening of new businesses, or pay vendors/suppliers. The victims would transfer money via PayNow to bank accounts belonging to unknown persons. They would discover that they had been scammed when they contacted their actual acquaintance and realised that they had neither changed their contact number nor contacted them.
At least S$23.1 million lost to scammers
Annual Scams and Cybercrime Brief 2023
It is likely a scam if the caller
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Calls you using an unknown number, asks you to guess who they are and claims that he/she lost his/her old phone number;
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Ask you to transfer money to unknown bank accounts, click on unknown links that lead to bank websites and/or download third-party apps to help them in a difficult situation.
How to stay safe
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ADD: ScamShield app to block and deter scam calls, Anti-virus app as recommended by CSA, International Call Blocking with your telcos and security features such as 2FA for your online accounts.
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CHECK: Verify the caller’s identity through alternative means like contacting them on social media, calling the original number of the person, meeting in-person, or with other friends. Beware of unusual requests from someone claiming to know you. Only download and install apps from official app stores (i.e., Google Play Store for Android).
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TELL: Your other friends and family about this scam encounter immediately to warn them as the scammer might reach out to others that you may also know
Learn more about fake friend call scams
Friend or fraudster: Beware of unusual requests via text messages or calls
Encountered this scam? Report it!
If you have transferred money to a scammer, please visit this page for a list of immediate actions: I've Been Scammed!
Help keep the community safe by reporting any instances of this scam you’ve seen or experienced with the ScamShield App.