Dozens of scam victims show up at Hougang resident's stolen address
They are victims of online scams who showed up believing they were there to claim free goods or collect purchases.
Scammers have used the homeowner's residential address in online advertisements to promote the supposed sale of illegal items and everyday goods, as well as "giveaways".
'Our Vape Store'
According to Shin Min Daily News, the address of a unit at Block 251 Hougang Avenue 3 was misused in online promotions by a website called "Our Vape Store". The site falsely claimed the unit was a pickup location for e-cigarettes.
When Shin Min reporters visited the address, the homeowner initially mistook them for customers and promptly called the police, only to realise later that it was a misunderstanding.
The man, who only wished to be known as Mr Tan, told Shin Min that it all began in 2023 after he was added to a Telegram group chat.
"My Telegram account had my real name on it. I didn't think much of it at first," he said. "But then a friend informed me that someone was using my name to scam people. I filed a police report immediately."
Some time later, Mr Tan received a video call from a stranger who claimed to have lost $6,000 in a scam supposedly perpetrated by him.
In an attempt to clear his name, Mr. Tan shared a copy of the police report with the caller - without redacting his personal details, including his home address.
Things took a turn for the worse, when scammers then began using his address in various Facebook groups to promote fake giveaways.
In one instance, victims were told they could collect a free refrigerator from his unit. PHOTO: SHIN MIN DAILY NEWS
Victims were lured with heavily discounted products and instructed to pay a deposit upfront, only to realise they had been scammed upon arriving at Mr Tan's flat.
Mr Tan added that weekly unwanted visits have been going on for the past two years.
In early 2024, he placed a sign at his door explaining that the address had been fraudulently used.
"Over the years, I've made several police reports about this, but since no one was hurt and there was no forced entry, the police couldn't take any further action. All we could do was install a security camera at our door."
Late-night visit ends with police call
In one incident, a delivery driver showed up at 4am to collect goods on behalf of a victim who had paid a deposit online.
"We explained the situation to him, and he called the buyer, who refused to believe it was a scam," said Mr Tan.
"It dragged on until I called the police, and it wasn't until 6am that things were finally resolved. Everyone involved was a victim."
Mr Tan is now speaking out in hopes of warning others against online scams.
"If you see free giveaways or are asked to transfer money upfront, please verify the source. Don't be so quick to believe," he stressed.
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