A new impersonation scam targeting Singapore residents has resulted in at least S$4.8 million in losses, with police warning the public about fraudsters posing as Harvey Norman employees and government officials.
Singapore Police said at least 119 cases have been reported since January 2026. The scammers typically begin with an unsolicited call claiming to represent Harvey Norman, telling victims that they had purchased a television or had a pending delivery that needed confirmation.
When victims deny making the purchase, the callers allegedly claim that their personal information has been misused and that further investigations are necessary. The call is then transferred to another scammer pretending to be a Monetary Authority of Singapore official.
The fake official may accuse the victim of involvement in criminal activity, including money laundering, before instructing them to move their money into a supposedly secure “safe account” for investigation.
In some cases, victims have also been instructed to withdraw cash, purchase gold bars or hand over valuables such as jewellery and luxury watches. They are allegedly told that the money and valuables will be returned once the investigation is completed.
Police stressed that these requests are major warning signs. Singapore government officials will never ask members of the public to transfer or hand over cash, gold or luxury watches, disclose banking login credentials, install applications from unverified app stores, or transfer calls to the police or other government officials.
Harvey Norman has also warned customers to be cautious about unsolicited calls from people claiming to represent the retailer. The company said it will not ask customers for identification or banking details when they make transactions with the company.
Authorities are urging the public to stop communicating with anyone making these demands and to verify suspicious calls or messages through official channels. People who are unsure whether they are dealing with a scam can contact Singapore’s 24-hour ScamShield helpline at 1799.
With millions of dollars already lost, police are urging residents to recognize the pattern early — especially when an unexpected shopping call suddenly turns into an accusation of criminal activity and a demand to move money.
