SINGAPORE – A quick-thinking DBS employee and a police officer helped prevent a woman in her 70s from losing more than $200,000 to a sophisticated government-impersonation scam. The incident unfolded on Dec 24, 2024, when the elderly woman arrived at DBS’ Century Square branch demanding to withdraw $190,000 in cash.
She appeared distressed and repeatedly insisted that the bank had no right to stop her, even threatening to close all her accounts. Assistant service manager Fionice Teoh, then 38 weeks pregnant, grew suspicious. The woman avoided eye contact, remained glued to her phone, and became defensive when questioned, all classic signs of scam coaching.
After alerting DBS’s anti-scam team, Ms Teoh persuaded the woman to return the next day, buying time for the police to intervene. That night, officers from the Anti-Scam Centre visited her home and discovered she had already withdrawn $12,000 from another branch and was preparing to hand it over.
Scammers had posed as bank staff and law enforcement officers, claiming her money needed to be examined for a “money laundering investigation.” They also threatened that her family members would be implicated if she did not comply.
Deputy Superintendent Benedict Ng spent an hour convincing the frightened woman she was being deceived. She later realised she had been reporting her whereabouts to scammers three times a day. Thanks to the intervention, the woman’s life savings were saved.
Days later, she returned to the branch with chocolates to thank the staff. Ms Teoh, who gave birth on Jan 5, said many victims feel too ashamed to express gratitude, but protecting vulnerable customers is part of her duty.
DBS said it continues to tighten security while ensuring a smooth banking experience. The public is urged to install ScamShield, verify unexpected calls or messages, secure their devices with antivirus apps, and file police reports immediately if they suspect fraud.
DSP Ng said, “Every successful intervention means someone keeps their savings and their future stays intact.”
Source: The Straits Times🔍 HackWarn.com Analysis
What stood out about CDS employee Ms Teoh was her deep sense of responsibility and empathy. She understood how devastating it would be for someone to lose their hard-earned savings in an instant, and approached the situation with the care of someone protecting her own family.
Her instinct was not just to process a transaction, but to safeguard a vulnerable customer from becoming another scam victim.
The woman in her 70s also deserves recognition. Despite being under immense psychological pressure from the scammers and fearing for her family, she remained willing to listen to Ms Teoh.
That openness is rare. Many victims, when overwhelmed by fear or the promise of large financial gains, refuse to hear any advice. Her willingness to pause and consider guidance was crucial in preventing a catastrophic loss.
1. Why This Scam Works
Government-official impersonation scams are highly persuasive because they exploit fear, authority, and urgency. Criminals often:
- Pretend to be police or bank officers
- Claim the victim’s accounts are under investigation
- Threaten legal action or harm to loved ones
- Keep victims on the phone to control their responses
- Coach them on what to say at the bank
This continuous psychological pressure overwhelms victims, even educated and financially experienced individuals, making them comply with instructions that seem irrational in hindsight.
2. 🚨 Immediate Action Steps for the Public
- Hang up immediately if someone claims to be from the police, banks or government and demands money or personal data.
- Never stay on the line with unknown callers. This is a common control tactic.
- Verify independently by calling the agency through official hotline numbers, not the number provided by the caller.
- Install ScamShield and reputable antivirus apps on all mobile devices.
- Watch for signs of scam coaching: refusing to hang up, asking to withdraw large sums, or avoiding eye contact.
- If unsure, stop all transactions and immediately seek advice from the Anti-Scam Centre (call 1799).
