Police have arrested 2 Singaporean women, aged 25 and 37, who are believed to have pocketed more than S$40, 000/- in a series of cheating scams involving the purchase of Iphones and/or computers.

Between 8 October 2009 and 22 July 2010, multiple police reports were lodged against a Chinese woman who had led victims to believe that she was able to purchase Iphones or computers at below market prices. In one case, the suspects had persuaded a victim into parting with $24,500/- on the premise that they were able to purchase Iphones and computers from abroad at below market price and resell them for high profits in Singapore. The victim in this case was promised a return of 75% profit on her investment. However, after the payments were made, the suspects became uncontactable.

Police had attempted to track down the suspects upon receipt of the reports but the suspects were elusive and went into hiding. However, the law finally caught up with them on 28 July 2010. Following extensive ground work and follow-up investigations, officers from Central Police Division were laying in wait for them in the vicinity of East Coast Park Service Road that day. The 2 suspects were promptly arrested at 9.30pm when they alighted from a taxi in the area. Following their arrest, Police also seized an assortment of clothing and toys believed to have been purchased by the suspects using the proceeds of their crime from a nearby rental premise where the suspects were putting up at.

The 2 suspects will be charged in Court on 30 July 2010 for Cheating with common intention under Section 420 r/w Section 34 of the Penal Code, Chapter 224. If convicted, they face imprisonment for a term which may extend to 10 years, and shall also be liable to fine.

Commander of Central Police Division, Deputy Assistant Commissioner Tan Hung Hooi commended the officers for their perseverance and efforts in tracking down the suspects. He also advised the public to be wary against scams or investments which promise unreasonably high returns.