NUS Student Falls Victim to Elaborate Impersonation Scam
A student at the National University of Singapore (NUS) was recently victimized by an elaborate scam involving impersonation of officials. The student was subjected to constant surveillance, forbidden from contacting family and friends, coerced into transferring funds overseas, and even forced to record a "confession video." NUS has reported the incident to the police.
The Scam Unfolds
According to reports, the victim initially received a suspicious text message followed by a phone call from someone claiming to be a police officer. The scammers typically accuse victims of involvement in money laundering, drug trafficking, or other fraudulent activities, demanding cooperation to avoid arrest. In cases involving foreign students, they threaten expulsion from their university.
Over several weeks, the fraudsters maintained close contact with the student via phone calls, video chats, and messaging apps, demanding constant visibility on camera or continuous audio connection and requiring daily itinerary reports. The NUS safety advisory highlights the sophisticated tactics employed by these criminals.
Isolation and Coercion
To further isolate the victim, the scammers instructed the student to cut off all contact with family, friends, and social media. They also fabricated government and banking documents to pressure the student into transferring money to overseas accounts. Ultimately, the student was coerced into recording a "confession" video.
University Response
An NUS spokesperson confirmed that the university has filed a police report and that an investigation is underway. While the university has not disclosed specific details about the case, including the content of the video, the timeline, or the amount of money involved, they emphasize that the matter is under active police investigation.