(Bandar Seri Begawan, 13th) The Royal Brunei Police Force (RBPF) reminds the public that recently there has been a rising trend of scams involving the buying and selling of vehicles and mobile phones through online sales platforms. At the same time, cases of fraudulent supply of goods to government agencies using forged official documents are also increasing.
In online scam cases, the police have received multiple reports from buyers and sellers stating that they were deceived by criminals who posted vehicle and mobile phone advertisements on social media. These perpetrators, without the seller's permission, illegally used vehicle and mobile phone images from the seller's social media accounts.
To carry out the scam, these criminals use other people's bank accounts to receive payment from buyers and falsely claim that after the transaction is completed, they will transfer the funds to the seller. However, in the end, the seller does not receive any money, and the buyer also does not receive the promised goods.
In cases of fraudulent supply of goods to government agencies, the perpetrators contact victims via mobile phone or WhatsApp application, ordering goods in the name of government projects or activities.
To convince victims, suspects send documents such as purchase orders, official letters, or tender documents, bearing forged government agency logos, official stamps, and signatures. The suspects also instruct victims to make payments to other unknown companies to fulfill booking requirements, resulting in financial losses to some victimized companies.
Victims only realize there was never a booking, and the documents received were forged, after contacting the government agencies directly.
To prevent these two types of scams, the public is reminded to take the following measures when engaging in public procurement: For online buyers and sellers, the public is advised not to be easily deceived by prices that are too low or unreasonable.
Any payments must be made directly to the original seller and not to any third party. Transactions should also be conducted face-to-face at safe locations.
For businesses and suppliers receiving bookings from government agencies, it is recommended to use official government platforms (such as the government procurement platform) to carry out procurement/supply processes and to verify the validity of all bookings.
Companies are also reminded not to trust official documents sent via WhatsApp or personal email accounts. Before handling any booking, always verify through the official government agency phone numbers or email addresses.
Anyone with relevant information or who suspects that they may be a victim of such scams is encouraged to report to the nearest police station or call 993.
Members of the public still conducting online transactions, if you have any doubts about the quotes or the legitimacy of the supply, may also call the police hotline at 16993 for advice before making payment or completing the transaction.
In online scam cases, the police have received multiple reports from buyers and sellers stating that they were deceived by criminals who posted vehicle and mobile phone advertisements on social media. These perpetrators, without the seller's permission, illegally used vehicle and mobile phone images from the seller's social media accounts.
To carry out the scam, these criminals use other people's bank accounts to receive payment from buyers and falsely claim that after the transaction is completed, they will transfer the funds to the seller. However, in the end, the seller does not receive any money, and the buyer also does not receive the promised goods.
In cases of fraudulent supply of goods to government agencies, the perpetrators contact victims via mobile phone or WhatsApp application, ordering goods in the name of government projects or activities.
To convince victims, suspects send documents such as purchase orders, official letters, or tender documents, bearing forged government agency logos, official stamps, and signatures. The suspects also instruct victims to make payments to other unknown companies to fulfill booking requirements, resulting in financial losses to some victimized companies.
Victims only realize there was never a booking, and the documents received were forged, after contacting the government agencies directly.
To prevent these two types of scams, the public is reminded to take the following measures when engaging in public procurement: For online buyers and sellers, the public is advised not to be easily deceived by prices that are too low or unreasonable.
Any payments must be made directly to the original seller and not to any third party. Transactions should also be conducted face-to-face at safe locations.
For businesses and suppliers receiving bookings from government agencies, it is recommended to use official government platforms (such as the government procurement platform) to carry out procurement/supply processes and to verify the validity of all bookings.
Companies are also reminded not to trust official documents sent via WhatsApp or personal email accounts. Before handling any booking, always verify through the official government agency phone numbers or email addresses.
Anyone with relevant information or who suspects that they may be a victim of such scams is encouraged to report to the nearest police station or call 993.
Members of the public still conducting online transactions, if you have any doubts about the quotes or the legitimacy of the supply, may also call the police hotline at 16993 for advice before making payment or completing the transaction.