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CNA
30-07-2025
- CNA
Monkey intruders in Singapore: Here's how to stay one step ahead of them
SINGAPORE: In Almond Estate, in the west of Singapore, wild thieves have stolen virtually everything under the sun, from medicine to cosmetics to vehicle parts. Residents Pankaj Kumar and Alka Verma had the wing mirrors on their car stolen twice. That cost them between S$200 and S$300. It also happened to their neighbours and even a visitor. 'One day, a guest's car was just here, and … by the time I rushed to the car, both mirrors were gone,' recounted Verma. The married couple now hand out mirror covers to their guests who park in the estate, which is made up of mainly landed homes. Their household was one of five that reached out to the programme Talking Point after repeated monkey intrusions. 'You're looking at the monkeys, and they're on the top of the trees, laughing at you with the mirrors,' said Kumar. 'It's not only the case with us. Most of our neighbours have faced issues of monkeys taking away vitamins or cosmetics.' Verma recalled a monkey swiping a computer mouse from her house. 'They're very aggressive,' she said. Another resident, Robin Lo, said monkeys were even pulling windshield wipers off cars. Many households now keep their windows and doors closed for most of the day, according to Toh Ai Ling. 'We're imprisoned in our own homes.' These residents are not alone in 'having to bear' with this monkey business. Compared to a decade ago, the government logged a 35 per cent jump in monkey-related feedback to about 2,500 cases annually between 2017 and 2023. Many of the incidents, including intrusions, attacks and feeding issues, involved Singapore's native long-tailed macaques. Talking Point finds out why these macaques are venturing into residential estates more than ever — where anything from snacks to shiny objects might be fair game for them — and what residents can do to stay one step ahead. FOREST FORAGERS TURNED URBAN EXPLORERS Long-tailed macaques are highly intelligent, social animals that forage in close-knit troops and are known to be territorial. These omnivores eat just about everything, including insects, fruit, scraps and small animals. Adults, especially males, can inflict serious wounds with their sharp canines when provoked. With urbanisation continuing to break up and shrink Singapore's remaining patches of forest, the monkeys' movements are increasingly bringing them into contact and, as likely as not, conflict with people. 'If you look at satellite imagery from just a decade ago, a lot of forests have been lost,' said Kalaivanan Balakrishnan, chief executive officer of the Animal Concerns Research and Education Society (ACRES). The monkeys have 'no choice but to pass by our urban areas', added ACRES senior wildlife coordinator Karina Lim. And they have adapted to urban life. Besides scaling high-rise blocks to raid kitchens, they also target plastic bags, such as those used for food deliveries. 'Macaques have learnt that that's where the food will be,' said Lim, who handles an average of 23 monkey-related hotline calls a month. 'They've learnt how to open all these parcels … to see if they can find anything of value.' Then there are people who feed monkeys, which conditions the animals to further associate humans with food. This, in turn, reduces their inclination to forage in the forest, according to the National Parks Board (NParks), which manages human-wildlife conflict. Most of the feeders tend to be from the older generation, 'who may feel empathetic towards the animals', said Kalaivanan. While ACRES has reached out to feeders, enforcement must also be stepped up, he urged. 'Generally, they'll be like, 'I don't care. I'm just going to continue feeding (monkeys).'' Human-monkey encounters were once common only near nature reserves and catchment areas, like in Bukit Timah and Upper Thomson. But the numbers are climbing island-wide now. At the northeastern corner of Singapore, public safety concerns led the authorities to trap 50 monkeys in Punggol last year. The majority were sterilised. But their relocation to Coney Island — where there is insufficient food for them, said Kalaivanan — has not proved successful. Instead, they keep returning to Punggol. Andie Ang, who heads Mandai Nature's primate conservation and Singapore programmes, said there is no guarantee that measures such as relocation can work. 'The monkeys are going to a new environment where there could be other monkeys. … They might have fights,' she said. As for sterilisation, it would 'take a long time' to see its effect on the population. Finally, culling, which is considered a last resort when monkeys are aggressive and unsuitable for relocation, could also backfire. Removing monkeys makes it easier for other competing monkeys to move into that territory later. 'Culling doesn't solve the problem,' said Ang. 'The residents might not be happy after a while, when they see that the monkeys are (still around).' MANAGING MONKEY MISCHIEF Since Singapore cannot be rid of monkeys, there are other efforts underway to keep them at bay, including steps that residents, too, can take. When it comes to protecting your home from intrusions, the first thing is to keep food out of sight of the monkeys. NParks has rolled out monkey-proof bins in some hotspots to minimise access to food outdoors. These are bins with weighted lids, which can also be opened by stepping on a pedal — and which are too heavy to open for macaques. Those who own landed property can secure their own bins using bungee cords. NParks officers also patrol the edges of forested areas, using tools such as laser pointers to startle the macaques and drive them back into their natural habitat. But these creatures can 'get used to' these deterrents, said NParks' wildlife management and outreach director, Cyrena Lin. So the officers must vary their tactics. To boost the monkeys' natural food sources and reduce their need to forage in residential areas, NParks has planted more fruit trees on Coney Island. Then there are community-led efforts like the Monkey Guards programme run by the Jane Goodall Institute (Singapore). Besides educating people about macaques and the importance of not feeding them, its volunteers are trained to patrol residential areas and deter monkeys. 'We use tools, sticks or use (our) voice, our height, our size,' cited Monkey Guards programme lead Sabrina Jabbar, to 'push' the monkeys to other places, for example back into their forest. For members of the public who encounter monkeys, there are warning signs if the animals feel threatened. They will bare their teeth, shriek or make what Jabbar calls 'fake lunges'. 'They'll run towards you, they'll stop right in front of your feet, … then they'll reverse,' she said. 'If you stand your ground, they'll notice that it's not working.' She also recommends finding safety in numbers. 'Let's say you're walking on your own, you don't feel comfortable, and there are people around you, just join them,' she said. '(With) more people, the macaques will just move away.'
Mint
30-07-2025
- Mint
Kolkata man loses ₹8.8 lakh in 20 minutes in a credit card scam; don't let it happen to you
Pankaj Kumar from Sarsuna, Kolkata, thought he was safe. Two credit cards. No shady transactions. But in a span of just 20 minutes, he lost ₹ 8.8 lakh, all through unauthorised online purchases. By the time he noticed the barrage of OTPs and blocked his cards, the fraudsters were done, reported TOI. The police suspect a SIM-swap scam or a case of stolen personal data, enabling fast, large-scale purchases on a major e-commerce site. One Kartik Sable has been named in the investigation, which highlights a growing trend of mobile-linked financial crimes. This isn't a one-off case. Kolkata police have flagged a sharp rise in such scams, including fake customer support calls and insider fraud. Let's break down how you can protect yourself before it's too late. When fraudsters pull off a SIM-swap scam, they transfer your cell phone number to their own SIM card, typically by pretending to be you to your mobile operator. Now that they have your number, they may quickly take over your financial life by intercepting everything, including all OTPs, SMS alerts, and changing your banking passwords. 1. Never share OTPs, CVV, or PINs: Banks will never request, through a call, text, or email, information through digital means. If they do, end the conversation immediately and call your bank using the number on the reverse of your credit card. 2. Watch for SIM-swap warnings: Do not ignore them if your phone suddenly shows 'its service is lost' or 'SIM deactivated.' Ask your operator immediately for SIM-swap protection features such as porting lock or SIM PIN. 3. Treat small, odd transactions seriously: Scammers will usually start with minor test purchases before going on to make large payments. Immediately report any unusual transactions or alerts to your bank. 4. Use virtual or low-limit credit cards: Enable virtual credit cards or secondary cards for online payments with strict spending limits. It acts as a precaution if your data is compromised. 5. Secure your devices and apps: It's not okay to store card information in plain text. Install an antivirus program, make use of encrypted password managers, and have two-factor authentication on any important apps. 6. Don't fall for fake bank or government calls: Now impostors can easily impersonate hospital employees, BSF officers, or customer service executives. Do not put total faith in caller ID. Always verify through official websites or an official helpline. 7. Report fraud immediately: Time is money! File a complaint on and inform the bank of any suspicious activity immediately. You will have a greater chance of recouping your loss the sooner you act. It's about beating you to your data, not just stealing your money. Due to SIM-swap attacks, fraudsters can hijack OTPs before you or your bank even knows that they have been taken. And if you add in social engineering or insider help, your layers of security collapse like a pile of dominoes. For all personal finance updates, visit here. Disclaimer: Mint has a tie-up with fin-techs for providing credit; you will need to share your information if you apply. These tie-ups do not influence our editorial content. This article only intends to educate and spread awareness about credit needs like loans, credit cards and credit score. Mint does not promote or encourage taking credit, as it comes with a set of risks such as high interest rates, hidden charges, etc. We advise investors to discuss with certified experts before taking any credit.
Time of India
29-07-2025
- Time of India
S Kol man loses 8.8L to credit card fraud
Kolkata: A Sarsuna resident, Pankaj Kumar, filed a complaint about unauthorised transactions amounting to Rs 8.8 lakh made using his two credit cards. Cops believe the credit card fraud was done by possibly using the SIM swap technique or fraudulent collection of personal data. Kumar noticed the fraudulent transactions taking place earlier this month, within a span of 20 minutes. The accused allegedly conspired to make purchases on a popular online marketplace using Kumar's credit cards. The transactions were completed before Kumar could block his cards, despite receiving suspicious OTPs. Kumar promptly informed both the banks and lodged a police complaint. The transactions were linked to an online marketplace account associated with a specific mobile number. Investigations revealed the name Kartik Sable and a mobile number. tnn You Can Also Check: Kolkata AQI | Weather in Kolkata | Bank Holidays in Kolkata | Public Holidays in Kolkata
Time of India
14-07-2025
- Business
- Time of India
‘Coop bank's profithas tripled in 8 yrs'
Lucknow: UP, minister for cooperation JPS Rathore on Monday said that the net profit made by UP Cooperative Bank (UPCB) tripled in the past eight years. Speaking at the 44th foundation day function of , he said, "The UPCB's net profit tripled since 2017 and the district central cooperative banks (DCCBs) grew in terms of business – the value of which may be pegged at Rs 41,234 crore. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now The minister credited a turnaround to digitalisation initiatives such as 'Sahkar Sarthi'. He highlighted efforts undertaken by govt to strengthen primary agriculture credit societies (PACS), the ground-level institutions that facilitate fertiliser supply to farmers. "The state was able to reactivate over 5,700 dormant members besides onboarding 3,500 new members and mobilising Rs 884.85 lakh in share capital," said the minister, who launched the 'PACS: Ek Naya Aayam' book that documented a new chapter in cooperative development. Chief general manager, NABARD's UP regional office, Pankaj Kumar emphasised the transformative role of cooperatives in rural India. Principal secretary, cooperative, Sorabh Babu emphasised the essential link between business growth and human resources. Registrar, cooperative societies, UP, Yogesh Kumar underscored the need for adequate staffing and greater public trust to position cooperatives as a foundational element of the banking system. Chairman of UP Cooperative Bank urged for greater focus on digital transformation and affordable credit delivery. Regional Director of RBI, Pankaj Kumar, also spoke on the occasion. Outstanding performers of NABARD were felicitated by the minister. A plantation drive 'Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam' was also organised.
NDTV
10-07-2025
- Politics
- NDTV
Police Vandalise 30 Trucks In Kolkata Over Parking Issue, 3 Suspended
Kolkata: Tensions flared in Kolkata's New Alipore after truck owners' association accused the police of vandalizing at least 30 trucks over a parking issue without any prior notice. Kolkata Police said that three personnel were suspended in this case. Pankaj Kumar, head of the Alipore Truck Owners Association, stated that no prior notice was issued by the police regarding this matter. "This has been done by New Alipore Police. We received a call yesterday and we sent driver immediately. As soon as they went ahead to move the vehicles, they were beaten up. You can see the damage they did to these vehicles. They said not to park vehicles here. After protests, they sent us a letter asking us to park the vehicles here and not on the main road. There is not enough space at the siding to park a loaded truck Police are not cooperating with us. They had not given us any notice beforehand, Kumar told ANI. "We were only told two days ago not to park the trucks here as it is causing difficulty for the ambulance as there is a hospital here...30-35 trucks have been vandalised...," he further said. Earlier in West Bengal, left-wing parties' trade unions staged a 'Bharat Bandh' and alleged that the central government had been pushing economic reforms that weakened workers' rights. 10 central trade unions had called the Bandh. Defying police presence, members of the Left parties' union entered Jadavpur railway station in West Bengal to block the railway tracks, marking their protest against the central government's "pro-corporate" policies. Left parties' unions also took out a foot march in Jadavpur. A bus driver said, "These people are saying the right thing (referring to the 'Bharat Bandh'), but we have to do our work. We are workers, so we support (the 'Bandh')... We are wearing it (helmet) for protection in case something happens." Under the 'Bandh', sectors such as state-run public transport, government offices, public sector units, banking and insurance services, postal operations, coal mining and industrial production were affected.
