Follow us on Telegram for the latest updates: https://t.me/mothershipsg

The Singapore police have issued a warning to members of the public about job scams targeting couriers from various delivery platforms on Aug. 25.

Two types of scams were highlighted.

Gift card scam

The first type of scam starts with a scammer making a request through the delivery platform.

The scammer then contacts the assigned courier and asks them for help to purchase a gift card from a convenience store.

The scammer would then ask the courier to scratch and reveal the code behind the card, and send a photo of the code as proof of purchase.

Then, the scammer would become uncontactable, and not make payment for the gift card.

The police warned members of the public not to provide the codes for gift cards without first receiving payment.

Remittance scam

The second type of scam involves scammers asking couriers to transfer money to an overseas account.

They would do so by indicating a remittance agency as the pick-up location for the courier, then asking the assigned courier to transfer money to an overseas account.

According to the police, attractive tips of at least S$100 would be offered for each remittance.

However, the scammers would then become uncontactable.

There would also be no one at the delivery locations to make payment for the remittance that they assisted with.

The police warned members of the public against accepting job offers which promise "lucrative returns for minimal effort".

The police also said that members of the public are responsible for all transactions that they make, and that they should avoid assisting anyone with monetary transfers, including remittance.

Providing remittance services without a license is also an offence, the police said. Those convicted can be fined up to S$125,000, jailed for up to three years, or both.

Those affected by such scams are also advised to report scammers to delivery platforms immediately.

Additionally, those with information related to these crimes can call the police hotline at 1800-225-0000 or submit information online at www.police.gov.sg/iwitness.

Top photo via @rosebox on unsplash

Follow and listen to our podcast here