Technology · Singapore Bureau
Singapore police warn of $180,000 lost to Carousell phishing scams
Police have issued a public advisory after scammers defrauded users of more than $180,000 through phishing attacks on the popular e-commerce platform since July. The fraudsters pose as legitimate buyers to extract personal and financial information from victims.
LSN Singapore ·
Singapore's police force has alerted the public to a sustained phishing campaign targeting users of Carousell, the region's largest peer-to-peer marketplace platform. Since July, scammers have successfully siphoned over $180,000 from victims through sophisticated social engineering tactics.
The criminal scheme operates through direct contact with sellers via Carousell's in-app messaging system and email. Fraudsters present themselves as interested buyers, building rapport before requesting sensitive information or payment details under the guise of completing a transaction.
Victims reportedly handed over personal identification details, banking credentials, and one-time passwords after being convinced by the scammers' seemingly legitimate inquiries. The attackers then exploit this information to access accounts or redirect funds.
Police have advised Carousell users to exercise caution when communicating with buyers, particularly those requesting unusual payment methods or seeking excessive personal information. Users are urged to verify buyer credentials, conduct transactions through the platform's secure payment gateway, and avoid sharing sensitive data through external channels.
The advisory comes as phishing and social engineering scams continue to pose a significant threat across Southeast Asia's digital economy. Carousell users experiencing suspicious activity are encouraged to report incidents to the police or the platform's support team immediately.