SINGAPORE: At least S$ 6.8 million ( US$ 5.2 million ) has been lost to fake bulk order scams since April, with more than 420 cases reported, said the police on Tuesday ( Aug 27 ).
According to the authorities, recent incidents targeted the food and beverage and services industries.
Scammers will , usually pose as educators from educational institutions in Singapore and call restaurants, retailers, or service-related businesses via calls or on WhatsApp,  , under the excuse of making large orders or reservations.
They will then ask for additional items or brands of goods that the retailers are unable to deliver on short notice, such as those that the businesses usually do not share.  ,
The officers said the alleged consumer would then suggest a” provider” for the victims to use.
The scammers does offer screenshots that show they had paid the target for the large purchase in advance to persuade victims to make honest payments to the phony suppliers.
Victims would simply realize they had been defrauded when the alleged customer failed to pay them or the supplier failed to deliver the goods.
Both the buyer and supplier may eventually become uncontactable.
Those with info on scams may call the police line at 1800-255-0000 or publish the information , online.