The Singapore Police Force has warned the users that a bogus shopping app can steal the victim's credentials once they start downloading the Scamshield app.
According to the authorities, the scammers behind the attack are posing as bank staff who give instructions on how to download the app on their mobile devices.
Phishing Scam is Scaring Singaporean Users Anew
Singaporean police alert the users about a fake shopping app that scammers use to lure victims into downloading malicious links.
In an advisory released by the Singapore Police on Tuesday, May 16, users should be careful about the app that they install on their smartphones if they want to avoid getting scammed.
According to Mothership, the threat actors usually victimize those customers who buy food items online. If you see chocolate or any consumables posted on social media, it's best to avoid them for now.
A scammer will chat with the victim to keep in touch with them on other platforms such as WhatsApp. From here, they will send the details or instructions on how to download a fake shopping app. According to them, this is required if the buyer wants to purchase an item from them.
Having said that, the authorities flagged them as "unauthorized transactions," which are to be avoided at all costs.
ScamShield App Scam is Not Yet Over
The phishing attack does not end in asking the victims to download the required URL of the shopping app. As per The Strait Times, the scammers will proceed to their next gimmick, which is by impersonating a bank employee.
Once the scammers tell the victim that their accounts have fraudulent transactions, they will instruct them to download ScamShield App to protect themselves from scams.
"The scammer would then recommend the victim download the (fake) ScamShield App using a URL link fraudulently bearing the ScamShield logo, on the pretext of getting the victim to safeguard himself against scams and to make a report in the ScamShield App," the police said.
Instead of downloading the Google PlayStore version of the app, the scammers will tell them to download the app from the URL.
As per the website of the National Crime Prevention Council, the ScamShield app is useful in filtering scam texts used in illegal transactions. If the app detects that an activity is illicit, it will block the number right away.
As of writing, the police have not yet figured out the total number of victims who have fallen for this phishing trap.
Related Article: New WhatsApp Scam Uses Shopping Surveys! Here's How to Protect Yourself
Refrain From Downloading Third-Party Apps
To further safeguard yourself from unwanted hacks, the police told the public to refrain from downloading apps from suspicious websites or any third-party sources, per Yahoo News.
In doing so, you can avoid getting malware on your device. You can ensure that your smartphone or any other gadget will be free from spyware and other forms of security threats.
You can download the legit ScamShield Android app here. If you have concerns about this scam, you dial 1800-722-6688 (Anti-Scam Helpline). You can also visit www.scamalert.sg for more information.
Read Also: Singpass Users Get Warning Ahead of Scams
