A Shocking Tale of Deception in Singapore

SINGAPORE – In a bizarre twist of fate, a woman, known only as Sabrina, handed over a staggering $250,000 to scammers who posed as police officers from Shanghai, despite having her bank accounts frozen and stern warnings from the police. This shocking incident has raised alarms about the rising wave of impersonation scams in the region.

The Relentless Pursuit of Fraudsters

Sabrina, a 40-something Singaporean, even made a formal police report insisting, 'I’m not a scam victim.' Her determination to believe in the validity of the scam led her to meet a stranger in Sembawang Park, where she handed over her life savings, believing he was an associate of the so-called 'Shanghai police.' Luckily, swift action from the Singapore Police Force (SPF) led to the recovery of her funds just two weeks later.

Scam Statistics Shock the Nation

The incident highlights a worrying trend, with recent statistics revealing that impersonation scams have skyrocketed, almost tripling in number—from 589 cases in the first half of 2024 to a staggering 1,762 in 2025. Victims have collectively lost a whopping $126.5 million in these scams, compared to $67.2 million the previous year.

How the Scam Unfolded: A Disturbing Narrative

The scam began innocently enough with a call from someone claiming to represent 'Air China.' After reading out Sabrina's passport number, the caller accused her of being involved in fraudulent ticket transactions. The situation spiraled further when she was told her identity had been stolen, and a 'police officer' named 'Lei Jun' contacted her via Telegram.

A Web of Lies and Despair

From that point on, Sabrina was ensnared in a tangled web of threats and manipulation. She was falsely implicated in a global money laundering scheme and was intimidated into silence. The scammers even claimed that her family would suffer if she disclosed any information.

The Dangerous Choice: Life Savings on the Line

Desperate to clear her name, Sabrina attempted to withdraw funds from her banks, only to find her accounts frozen once again. The banks did their best to protect her, but driven by fear and confusion, she eventually managed to withdraw her money after claiming to need it for gambling debts.

A Horrifying Collection

With a backpack stuffed with cash, Sabrina handed over her savings to a man in the park, who turned out to be a victim in his own right, inadvertently collecting money for the scammers. He gathered $362,000 from multiple victims before realizing the ruse through news reports online.

The Law Intervenes and Justice Prevails

After alerting the police, investigators were able to recover Sabrina's money, thanks to the man’s cooperation. However, it took a personal call from Assistant Superintendent of Police Steven Lee for Sabrina to believe the shocking truth about the scam.

A Grateful Survivor's Message

Post-recovery, Sabrina expressed immense gratitude towards the police, stating, 'They turned the impossible to possible.' She now warns others to speak up when confronted with suspicious calls, emphasizing the need for open communication when faced with such dilemmas.

A Valuable Lesson: Stay Vigilant!

ASP Lee reiterates a crucial mantra: genuine government officials will never request money or personal bank details. As scams rise in sophistication, the importance of vigilance and sharing concerns with loved ones has never been clearer.