Police have arrested a 31 year-old man who is believed to be the mastermind behind a series of scams perpetuated via Facebook. Three other persons aged 16 - 24 have also been arrested in connection with the case.

Between June and July 2010, police received several reports that a Facebook user by the name of 'Nicole Tay' was alleged to have cheated at least 16 male netizens of over $10,000/-. The suspect was believed to have used a fictitious Facebook account ('Nicole Tay') to deceive other Facebook users into parting with their money on the pretext that 'she' could not afford to pay for her rental fees and was in urgent need of money. Upon receiving payment, the said ‘Nicole Tay’ would disappear.

Following the reports, officers from Ang Mo Kio Police Division studied the crime pattern and conducted extensive investigations. On 30 Aug 2010 at about 11.00 am, Police mounted an operation and arrested two male teenagers aged 16 and 17 years old in the vicinity of Commonwealth Crescent in relation to the case. Preliminary investigations revealed that the duo was believed to have assisted the mastermind by allowing their bank accounts to be used for the scam.

Following the arrest of the 2 suspects, the officers arrested the 31 year-old man who is believed to be the mastermind, on 8 September 2010 at 10.15 am in the vicinity of Jurong West. Another 24 year-old woman was subsequently arrested on 8 September 2010 at about 10.30 pm for playing a role similar to that of the first 2 suspects.

The 31 year-old suspect will be charged in Court on 9 September 2010 at 2.00 pm in Subordinate Court 26 for an offence of Cheating with common intention under Section 420 read with Section 34 Chapter 224. This offence carries on conviction a maximum jail term of 10 years imprisonment and shall also be liable to fine. Investigations against the other three suspects are still on-going.

Commander of Ang Mo Kio Police Division, Deputy Assistant Commissioner Hsu Sin Yun commended his officers for their good investigative work leading to the arrest of the 4 suspects. He also advised the members of the public to be wary of strangers they meet over the internet and urged those who had fallen prey to such a scam to lodge a police report if they have not done so.