Posted on 09/19/2022 4:38:01 PM PDT by nickcarraway
Only 48 hours after he arrived in Singapore to begin his first year for a master's degree in chemistry at a local university, Albert (not his real name) received a phone call from officers claiming to be from the Ministry of Health, that sent him into a panic.
The 24-year-old Chinese national was told he was involved in money laundering activities and the call was subsequently transferred to scammers claiming to be police officers in China.
The conmen sent him official-looking documents and even conducted video calls to convince him to transfer $70,000 to them. The money was from his parents and was meant for his living expenses in Singapore.
They explained that his particulars had been used to open a bank account in China that was involved in money laundering activities and the money was needed for "investigation purposes".
Speaking to the media on Wednesday about the scam that began in late July, Albert said: "I was afraid. They said if I didn't comply, they would come to Singapore to arrest me. I kept thinking, what if it's true? What if they really can do that?"
He said the scammers were firm and authoritative, adding: "It felt real. They sent photos of their police badges and when I saw them through the video calls, they were wearing police uniforms."
Little did he know he had fallen victim to a China official impersonation scam, of which 287 reports were made in the first half of this year, said the police in response to queries from The Straits Times.
The total amount cheated out of victims was $34.6 million, with the largest amount in a single case being $1.8 million.
Last year, 323 reports of this type of scam were made in the first half of the year. A total of 750 cases were reported for the whole of last year, with $106.3 million lost by victims.
While most scam victims do not want to speak publicly about being cheated, Albert said he wanted his story known to warn others that anyone can be vulnerable to scams.
Even after Albert had transferred $70,000 to them, the scammers convinced him they needed more money that would be used to bail him out if he were to be arrested.
"That was when I asked my parents for $130,000. They didn't question me because I'm their only son and they trusted me," Albert recalled.
He transferred his parents' money, which was the majority of their life savings, to the scammers. His father, 54, is a business consultant in the coal industry, while his mother, 53, works as an administrative executive in a school. They live in a city in northwest China.
Throughout the month of August, Albert was in constant contact with the scammers. They called him every day and warned him not to tell anyone about them. In late August, they even convinced him to send a video of himself to aid in their investigations.
The last thing he expected was for that video to be sent to his parents.
"They told my parents I was kidnapped and demanded a ransom from them. They used the video I sent them as proof that they had me," Albert said.
Though in shock, his parents asked their friend in Singapore to make a police report.
"I only realised everything was a lie when the Singapore police found me and told me that I had been scammed. I called my mother after that and she was relieved I was safe. But all the money was gone for good - every single cent," said Albert.
He said he never expected to be a victim of a scam, let alone one that involved his parents and their money.
While he is worried about how he will get by with what's left in his bank account, Albert's biggest concern is his parents.
"I feel so guilty about everything. My greatest regret is that I did not tell my parents what happened from the beginning. They would have warned me that it was a scam, but I chose to keep quiet," he said.
Albert said even though his parents have forgiven him, his relationship with them has soured.
"I call them every day and it has not been easy. There's tension between us and I don't blame them. I just hope they can trust me again."
Doesn’t sound smart enough to get a Masters in Chemistry.
200 K,,,, in Cash,
Son——you’re Working at Mickey D’s
for the next 50 yrs.
That’s a very sad thing, to see the parent’s life savings unnecessarily drained on account of their child’s gullibility.
How many people fall for this? The government has an infinite supply of money so they don't need mine for that. Unfortunately, the IRS has not agreed with my logic when I explain that to them.
I spent the last few months staying with my elderly mother three days and nights a week. The scammers that called her phone were non-stop. Thankfully, although her body was weak, her mind was sharp and she never fell for a single one of those scammers. She passed away earlier this month.
However, she could give the scammers heck. If they called to say they were her “favorite grandson” who was in jail and needed bail money, she would say stuff such as “he made his bed, let him sleep in it”. Or, “all my grandsons are sitting at my table eating the great dinner I just prepared. If you have one I’m not aware of, send me his personal information and I might just claim him”.
Bless her heart, she had fun with them even into her late 80’s.
I disagree. Book smart is not street smart. He might well have the brains for chemistry, yet be socially naive.
This is the Central Scrutinizer...
It is my responsibility to enforce all the laws
That haven’t been passed yet
It is also my responsibility to alert each and every one of you
To the potential consequences
Of various ordinary everyday activities
You might be performing which could eventually lead to
The death penalty - or affect your parents’ credit rating...
Our criminal institutions are full of little creeps like you
Who do wrong things
And many of them were driven to these crimes
By a horrible force called MUSIC!
gee...why don’t i believe a damn word this kid says.
China is Asshoe.
I got called today from some East Indians claiming they were my Medicare Agency. I told them I don’t have medicare and they hung up.
But I’m seeing more and more scams from India. We need to start taking a harder line with India. They need to clean up these scammers.
Mark Rober exposed some Indian scam shops recently. Police are corrupt in some cases and letting them operate.
How their IQ's are so very high?
Hmmm...
I spent the last few months staying with my elderly mother three days and nights a week. The scammers that called her phone were non-stop. Thankfully, although her body was weak, her mind was sharp and she never fell for a single one of those scammers
/\
You’re so lucky.
They took my father for every cent he had, even conned him into selling his house and Got that money too.
When I feel bitter I watch this guy
https://m.youtube.com/c/ScammerPayback
.
.
Kid probably thought that since he was so "smart" he could go gambling and double his money.
Apparently he never learned "The house always wins".
Doe the people in China know? Do they believe what the government may tell them?
They don’t have to be brilliant.
Just smarter than the lawyers who run the USA.
Our mothers sound a lot alike. She lived until she was 85 and always had some response to scammers. This was before cell phones and the internet but she worked for the IRS for 30 years and was well aware of investment scams.
Her sage investment advice to me: “Never invest with anyone who needs your money yesterday.” Smart dame.
The Bank Examiner scam. It dates back to about five minutes after the very first bank opened.
Probably a lot dumber.
After all they are being used to destroy our elites enemies and paying for the privilege.
I bought something on ebay years ago and was called a month or so later by a “detective” that said what I had purchased was stolen and I needed to pay resitution or something.
It was curious that they had my phone number so I thought it might be on the up and up (but probably not). I told them I didn’t know that it was stolen, and of course I would do everything possible to help them.
I told them to write me a letter on police stationary and notarized and I would have my lawyer get back to them promptly.
I never heard from them. (I also don’t “have a lawyer” - but am friends with one!)
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