Changi Airport Group Cautions Public on Scam Calls Over Viber

On Wednesday (Aug 21), the Changi Airport Group (CAG) released an advisory regarding cases of scam calls made through Viber, which ask individuals for their bank account numbers to claim a prize in the ‘Be a Changi Millionaire’ promotion.

Changi authorities have already received nine reports of such scam calls through Viber. Security investigation launched by CAG has revealed that the perpetrators of the scam would contact their potential victim using a Viber account with an on-screen display image taken from the ‘Be a Changi Millionaire’ campaign advertisement.

Screengrab of the Changi Millionaire Website

Changi Airport Group Urges Public to Report Scam Calls Over Viber

Authorities explained that after these calls have been answered, the scammer would ask the victim a number of questions and request for information, including the recipient’s bank account number as a condition for receiving a cash prize.

Interestingly, some of the recipients of the call did not even participate in the Millionaire promotion launched by the company.

Regarding the matter, the Changi Airport Group clarified that they would not contact Millionaire participants to ask for their details – such as bank account or identification numbers – over the phone.

That being said, members of the public who have received suspicious calls, e-mails or other communications purportedly from Changi Airport Group or its representatives were advised to report the incident via millionaire@changiairport.com or 9658-5945.

The CAG reaffirmed its commitment to protecting its customers’ information and will not contact participants in the ‘Millionaire’ draw to ask for details such as bank account or identification numbers over the phone.

Accordingly, the CAG has reported the matter to the police. A ‘phone scam’ alert has also been posted on Changi Airport’s digital and social media channels.

The scam alert was raised following a report from the police on Wednesday (August 21) that 92 cases of China officials impersonation scams were received from January to May this year, with at least $5.3 million cheated from victims.

Any suspicious claims, announcements, or notifications made or offered whether by phone, e-mail, or SMS, should immediately be reported to the police or at least verified with the concerned officials or company representatives.

Failure to report such cases can be considered misconduct, especially in Singapore, where the government has expressed serious intent in curbing incidences of fake news circulating online at the start of this year.

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