SINGAPORE: On Friday ( 6 December ), the police issued a warning about a recent trend of phishing scams involving online applications for entry visas from various nations and other related services.  ,
At least 22 such cases were reported since Nov 1 with total losses amounting to at least S$ 3, 000 ( US$ 2, 240 ), said the police in a news release.  ,
Some victims had appear for application services like entry visas, online arrival cards, and vehicle entry permits while others would look for them online through internet search engines.  ,
Cases of search phrases used by patients include “apply for an American visa”, “K-Eta” and “apply US visa”, the officers added.  ,
After clicking on the URL backlinks, the patients would get redirected to phishing sites.  ,
Some phishing sites were also in the top search results or appeared as paid advertising, which increased their perceived trust, said the policeman.  ,
Victims may then enter their private information as well as credit or debit card details, assuming they were offering the services in exchange for the details.
They may just realize that they had been duped upon checking , when the immigration services at the target country discovered that they did not have a true entry visa or that their electronic arrival card had not been turned in.
Another tell-tale signs of the fraud may be victims not receiving any verification of their programs, and later , discovering illegal credit or debit card transactions.  ,
Members of the public may attend the ScamShield website or call the ScamShield Helpline at 1799 for more information on schemes.