The festive season is often a time of joy, celebration, and indulgence. However, for Ms. Lee, an administrative executive, the recent Mid-Autumn Festival brought an unexpected and costly surprise. She lost a staggering $76,000 after falling prey to a mooncake scam that exploited her through a third-party app.
A Tempting Offer
On September 14, Ms. Lee stumbled upon a Facebook advertisement from “Sunshine Cake House” offering bunny-shaped mooncakes filled with Mao Shan Wang durian. The deal seemed too good to pass up: $29.90 for a box of eight. After reaching out to the seller on Facebook, she was soon contacted by a so-called “delivery man” on WhatsApp.
The Deceptive App
The “delivery man” persuaded Ms. Lee to download a third-party app on her Android phone, claiming it was necessary for the transaction. Although she was initially hesitant to share her bank details and feigned ignorance about having PayNow, the scammer paid the deposit on her behalf. This move lulled Ms. Lee into a false sense of security.
However, after experiencing issues with her mobile banking app, she deleted the third-party app. The scammer, sensing potential exposure, quickly contacted her, insisting she reinstall the app. Ms. Lee, swayed by his courteous demeanor, complied.
A Rude Awakening
The next morning, Ms. Lee discovered her phone had been compromised. Unable to access her mobile banking apps or make calls, she rushed to an ATM. To her horror, she found that scammers had increased her transaction limit and siphoned $76,000 from her DBS account. This money had been earmarked for a down payment on her new Build-to-Order flat and upcoming renovation works.
Desperate, she had to rely on the kindness of strangers to borrow a phone and contact her bank. She promptly filed a police report afterward.
A Rising Trend
As the Mid-Autumn Festival draws near, scammers are increasingly using mooncake advertisements as bait. According to the police, at least 27 individuals were duped in August alone, with losses amounting to approximately $325,000. These scams typically involve sending victims payment links that introduce malware into their phones, allowing scammers to remotely control the devices and empty bank accounts.
Conclusion
Ms. Lee’s unfortunate experience serves as a stark reminder of the importance of vigilance, especially during festive seasons when scammers are on the prowl. It’s essential to be cautious and skeptical of deals that seem too good to be true and to avoid downloading unfamiliar apps or sharing personal financial information.
Also learn about Citibank’s Pioneering Move: Introducing Anti-Scam Measures for Mobile App Users.
