The latest joint operation was the sixth tie-up in 2024 between the police and the banks to combat scams. - Photo: Singapore Police Force
SINGAPORE: More than 8,700 bank customers were saved from losing about S$73 million to conmen when six banks tied up with the police Anti-Scam Centre (ASC) and used technology to thwart scams.
During a two-month joint operation between Nov 1, 2024, and Dec 31, 2024, ASC officers and the banks sent out about 13,000 SMS text messages to bank customers who were identified as potential scam victims, the police said on Wednesday (Jan 8).
“The detection of these potential scam victims resulted in the successful disruption of more than 1,444 ongoing scams and averted potential financial losses of more than $73 million,” the statement added.
ASC officers and the banks used robotic process automation technology to detect likely victims of job scams, investment scams, fake friend call scams, and e-commerce scams.
The likely victims were sent SMS alerts to inform them about their transfers to suspicious accounts and advised them against allowing further transfers.
“Upon receiving the SMSes, most victims would realise that they had fallen prey to a scam and would come forward to lodge a police report,” the statement said.
The six banks are DBS, UOB, OCBC, Standard Chartered, HSBC and GXS.
The latest joint operation was the sixth tie-up in 2024 between the police and the banks to combat scams.
Similar tie-ups in the course of the last year helped identify and alert potential scam victims, resulting in the successful disruption of more than 13,000 ongoing scams involving more than 55,600 potential victims, and the safeguarding of more than $420 million of their savings.
To find out more scams, the public can call the anti-scam helpline on 1799 or visit www.scamalert.sg. - The Straits Times/ANN
