Police Warn On Two Scams Aimed At Seniors
By M K Anwar

Bandar Seri Begawan – The Police yesterday warned of two scams targeting senior citizens in Brunei.

In June five fraud cases targeting people aged more than 65 years were reported to the police. The fraud' bore resemblance to the well-known Nigerian scam but this time the victims were approached personally and not through letters or email.

The con men reportedly approached their victims asking for assistance to withdraw money they have inherited from their mother or father from a bank.

The victims were also promised money in return for their help. The con men also asked for money in thousands as fees to process the withdrawal.

According to the police, these scam artists operate in pairs but there is also a possibility of them operating alone depending on the situation.

At the moment, the police said they have been unable to detect or find these irresponsible people. Hence, the general public, especially the old, has been reminded to always be careful when unknown person(s) come asking for such help.

If anyone encounters or is approached by suspicious people, they are advised to inform the nearest police station immediately or call the police hotline at 993.

It is important that they remember the face(s) or the accent of the suspected con men and if possible information of vehicles they were in.

The information could prove useful for the police in helping them to launch an investigation.

The police have also received information from the public regarding a scam that is being sent through the Short Messaging Service (SMS) from the Philippines.

These SMSs feature messages regarding D'PHIL CHARITY, SWEEPSTAKES and many more informing recipients that they have won a lottery draw involving a large sum of money.

These fake SMSs also inform recipients that they must send B$1,000 as an advance payment to process the `money' they have won.

The gullible that sends the fee would soon find that their advance money is gone for good and so too is the company that is supposes to process it.

Last year, the Bulletin had run a story on the SMS scam that tricked a couple to send `processing fee' for nonexistent `prize money'.

The couple had received a message saying "You have won a big reward of 2.5 million pesos amounting to B$70,000 as your mobile phone number has been selected as a winner of the last four-digit mobile phone competition."

The message went on to instruct them to deposit money amounting to B$1,562 to an account in the Philippines through a money transfer agent in the capital.

The police yesterday advised members of the public to ignore such messages receive form outside the country.  -- Courtesy of Borneo Bulletin

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