SINGAPORE: The Singapore Police Drive (SPF) has issued an advisory warning the general public a couple of resurgence of job scams involving faux on-line duties themed round Pokémon and different buying and selling playing cards, with not less than 12 instances reported and complete losses reaching not less than S$71,000 since August 25, 2026.
Victims are approached by way of unsolicited messages or calls and supplied distant on-line jobs involving Pokémon or buying and selling card-related duties. They’re directed to fraudulent web sites the place they’re instructed to finish duties comparable to opening digital buying and selling card packs or deciding on playing cards in alternate for commissions.
To finish duties or unlock higher-value alternatives, victims are required to make cryptocurrency transfers or deposits. Some victims initially obtain small payouts, which was a tactic designed to construct belief, earlier than being requested to make extra funds to finish duties, clear unfavourable balances, restore their accounts, or withdraw purported earnings.
Victims solely realise they’ve been scammed after they discover themselves unable to withdraw their cash from the fraudulent platforms.
What to do
The SPF suggested the general public to not settle for job affords that promise profitable returns for minimal effort or require upfront funds. These are clear hallmarks of task-based scams no matter their theme.
The ACT framework applies:
Add the ScamShield app to dam rip-off calls and filter suspicious messages.
Check the legitimacy of suspicious messages, cellphone numbers, and web site hyperlinks through the ScamShield app or at www.scamshield.gov.sg, or name the 24/7 ScamShield Helpline at 1799.
Inform household, buddies, and authorities about rip-off makes an attempt, and report any fraudulent transactions to your financial institution instantly.
For extra data on scams, go to www.scamshield.gov.sg or name the ScamShield Helpline at 1799.
