Police nab 4 in 'resell capacitors' scam

SINGAPORE - Police have arrested four men for cheating after receiving a report on Tuesday (Jan 13) that three men had deceived an elderly woman of $10,000.

The police said that two of the suspects had approached the woman one after another to convince her to purchase capacitors at "cost price", so that she can sell them to a third suspect at a higher price to make a quick profit.

After convincing the woman that the third suspect was a genuine buyer and receiving $10,000 from her, the three men became uncontactable.

Police officers from Bedok Police Division arrested the trio and a fourth man in Balestier on Thursday (Jan 15). The police said that the fourth man was arrested after it was established that he had a share of the loot.

The police seized packets of capacitors, monies, bags and mobile phones as case exhibits.

The four men, between the ages of 48 and 53, will be charged in court tomorrow (Jan 17). If convicted, they may be jailed up to 10 years and can also be fined.

This is not the first time that scammers have pulled off similar scams. The police advise the public to be careful when befriending strangers and to be wary of get-rich-quick offers.

sinsh@sph.com.sg