singapore
High Commission of India
Singapore

Advisories Advisories

Advisory - Phone/e-mail scam by impersonation, targeting Indian nationals

1. There have been a number of cases of persons receiving phone calls / e-mails from scamsters claiming to be officials of Ministry of Manpower (MOM) or Immigration and Check Points Authority (ICA) or Singapore Companies offering jobs to Indian nationals. Sometimes they send messages claiming to be on behalf of the High Commission of India (HCI), Singapore. Instances have also come to notice where the callers are able to fake the phone numbers of the HCI while contacting prospective victims. These impersonators would contact targeted Indian nationals to convey messages on the following:

  • their immigration particulars were incorrect while entering Singapore and if money specified was not paid, they would be deported.
  • their documentation with MOM / ICA is incorrect and need to be rectified to prevent rejection.
  • they have been selected for a job in a company in Singapore, etc.
  • there is a problem with the passport, requiring additional fee for processing.

2. The victims would then be asked to transfer funds to some account, towards charges to rectify errors in their records/documentation, to legitimize their stay in Singapore or to facilitate visa and tickets for their travel to Singapore, as the case may be. Often they advise that the transfer be done immediately.

3. The High Commission, MOM or ICA do not call up members of public for funds transfer pertaining to any of their requirements. The public need to be alert against fake job offers and verify in advance the credentials of the company offering a job. Job offers should also invariably be got verified from known contact persons of the company concerned.

4. Members of public who receive such phone calls / e-mails should do the following:

  • Ignore such demands received over phone calls/e-mails
  • Completely disregard instructions through such calls/e-mails to transfer money online or via remittance agencies, banks or any other means; and
  • Call the Police immediately on '999' to report such cases.
  • Share the experience on scamalert.sg.

5. Please report such instances involving calls made on behalf of the High Commission to madad.singapore@gmail.com