Advisory on Phone Scam Involving Court-Directed Process

For immediate release

ADVISORY ON PHONE SCAM INVOLVING COURT-DIRECTED PROCESS

            The Singapore Courts – comprising the Supreme Court, State Courts and Family Justice Courts – have received feedback of a phone scam recently, where members of the public would receive a call from a law firm, claiming that there was a court order to seize their properties and remove their belongings. To lend authenticity to the claim, the scammers make reference to the residential addresses (past or present) of these members of the public before attempting to request for their personal information, such as name, NRIC/FIN number and bank account details, under the pretext of verifying them. In order to stop the enforcement order, the scammer would ask the member of the public to make payment of about $3,000 (e.g. via PayNow) to a specific bank account.

2          These calls often contain a “+65” prefix, suggesting an incoming overseas call. In some cases, the scammer will request the caller to contact 6336 0644, a past Supreme Court contact number no longer in use, for any further verification. Members of the public are advised to exercise caution, and to not respond to any unsolicited calls or automated messages. They should not respond to callers’ instructions to disclose any personal particulars or to make payment. Those who have been affected by such incidents are strongly advised to lodge a police report.

3          Members of the public should not release personal information such as NRIC/FIN number and bank account details over the phone to anyone purporting to be from a law firm or from the courts without sighting and verifying the contents or the authenticity of the court order which the caller has claimed to be relying on to obtain the information. If a copy of any court order is provided, it can be verified using the court service known as Authentic Court Orders at www.courtorders.gov.sg at no charge, and by keying in the corresponding verification details found on the court order. It is also prudent to key in this website address instead of using a shortened link that may be provided, as this may lead to a fake website. We would also like to take this opportunity to remind members of the public that our officers will not initiate calls to either request for payment or ask for personal details. All information required by the courts will be sent via a Registrar’s Notice or correspondence from the respective court.

4          If there is any doubt about the authenticity of a court order or a phone call claiming to seek to enforce a court order, it would be prudent to (1) verify the court order as described in paragraph 3, and (2) seek legal advice. If members of the public wish to provide any information related to such fraudulent activities, please call the Police Hotline at 1800 255 0000 or submit it online at www.police.gov.sg/iwitness. For advice relating to scams, please call the Anti-Scam Helpline (manned by the National Crime Prevention Council) at 1800 722 6688.

ISSUED BY:

THE SINGAPORE COURTS

15 July 2022 

About SG Courts

The Singapore Courts – comprising the Supreme Court, State Courts and Family Justice Courts – is one of the three constitutional pillars of government in Singapore. Known collectively as SG Courts, we are integrated and coordinated to serve as one judiciary. As an organ of state, the judiciary’s function is to independently administer justice.  Headed by the Chief Justice, we are a forward-looking, innovative and trusted judiciary. Built on judicial professionalism and transparency, we maintain the highest standards of integrity in safeguarding our community. We pledge to ensure equal and continuous access to justice, and we are committed to deliver justice that is fair and impartial.

Supreme Court

The Supreme Court comprising the Court of Appeal and the High Court, hears both civil and criminal cases. The High Court consists of two Divisions – the Appellate Division of the High Court and the General Division of the High Court. The Singapore International Commercial Court, which hears international commercial disputes, is part of the General Division of the High Court. Led by the Chief Justice, the Supreme Court is an independent, leading and trusted judiciary that steers the administration of justice in Singapore. Guided by our mission to deliver accessible justice that commands trust, respect and confidence, we are a world class judiciary that is ready for tomorrow.

For more information, please visit www.judiciary.gov.sg.

State Courts

The State Courts are committed to administering justice with quality judgments, timely and effective dispute resolution, and excellent court services. They handle about 90 per cent of all judicial matters in Singapore, and 99 per cent of the criminal caseload. The State Courts comprise the District Courts, Magistrates’ Courts, Coroners’ Courts, Small Claims Tribunals, and Employment Claims Tribunals. The District and Magistrates’ Courts exercise original criminal and civil jurisdiction and some of them are designated as specialised courts, for example, the Criminal Community Court, Traffic Court, Night Courts, and Protection from Harassment Court. In addition, the State Courts hear community disputes through the Community Disputes Resolution Tribunals, and the Court Dispute Resolution cluster conducts neutral evaluation, judicial mediation, conciliation, as well as judge-led case management, to help parties resolve their disputes amicably without trial. 

For more information, please visit www.judiciary.gov.sg.

Family Justice Courts

Established in 2014, the Family Justice Courts (FJC) are a restructure of our Court system to better serve litigants by bringing together all family related work under a specialised body of courts. The FJC comprises the Family Division of the High Court, the Family Courts and the Youth Courts and is administered by the Presiding Judge of the FJC. It hears cases relating to divorce, maintenance, family violence, adoption and guardianship, youth, probate, mental capacity and vulnerable adults. As family disputes differ from legal disputes, the FJC applies the principles of Therapeutic Justice, which is an approach rooted in problem-solving for the family rather than fault-finding between parties. Guided by our mission to make justice accessible to families and youth through effective counselling, mediation and adjudication, we are committed to deliver justice that protects, empowers and restores.

For more information, please visit www.judiciary.gov.sg.