A 17-year-old local pupil fell victim to a credit-for-sex scam earlier this month, losing a total of 68,000 patacas, Judiciary Police (PJ) spokesman Chan Wun Man said in a news conference yesterday at the PJ headquarters in Zape.
Chan said that the victim, who attends a high school in the northern area, befriended a female online in May. She later told the victim through a social messaging application that she was offering sex services for 800 pataca gift cards. The two negotiated and then settled for 500 patacas.
According to Chan, the victim went to a convenience store last Tuesday and purchased a gift card worth that amount. He then sent her a picture of the gift card number and PIN number. However, she used various excuses and asked him to buy her additional gift cards, and so he did.
Chan said that the victim bought her gift cards worth 68,000 patacas between last Tuesday and yesterday, adding that the two had never met in person.
The victim finally suspected he had been scammed. Accompanied by his family, he went to a PJ station to report the case yesterday. The police has also notified the “relevant authorities” about the incident, according to Chan, who did not elaborate.
The police are still investigating the case, according to Chan who did not explain how the boy was able to raise the 68,000 patacas.
An article headlined “What Is A Credit-For-Sex Scam?” on the Singapore-based anti-scam website Scam Alert! points out that common features of such scams are: strangers trying to befriend you on Facebook, WeChat, and iAround, especially if they offer escort, massage or sexual services; people who profess to have strong feelings for you after just a short period of time and want to chat with you privately; poorly written messages – they might even refer to you by the wrong name; and repeated requests for favours or money.
Judiciary Police (PJ) spokesman Chan Wun Man speaks during yesterday’s press conference at the PJ headquarters in Zape. Photo: Joel Chu
This image retrieved yesterday from the Singapore-based Scam Alert! website shows its section on “What Is A Credit-For-Sex Scam?” For more information, access https://www.scamalert.sg/types-of-scams/credit-for-sex-scam
