Problem Solution Essay

  In accordance with the advancement of technology which has led to the proliferation of Internet users, social media has become increasingly prevalent. The multiple functions of social media which serves both as an entertainment and platform for work chores have boosted its usage among teenagers and adults. It has transformed our life in an unprecedented way and deserves a credit for making our life easier. Nonetheless, it is a double-edged sword and various problems have arisen in spite of its advantages. Cyber love scam has received a whole raft of concerns among the society. Hence, this essay will discuss the problem of love scam on social media in Singapore and existing solutions to address the problem. In addition, I will further evaluate feasible and potential measurements to tackle the problem.

   Singapore is well reputed to be a country with low crime rates. In recent years, Singapore has taken a huge leap in realising its vision of achieving a utopia, which is a country that is safe to live in. This is further substantiated by concrete statistical evidences provided by Singapore Police Force (SPF). According to the annual crime report released in year 2013, the number of crime cases in the city-state declined from 31,015 cases to 29,668 cases compared to year 2012. However, there is an upward trend in cybercrime which includes love scam. In this context, cyber love scam had display a surging of incidence from 50 to 81 cases in year 2013 (Singapore's crime rate fall to 30-years low, 2014).

   Nowadays, social media has transformed the way of communication and relations between people tremendously. We are now able to expand our social circle without being restricted by geographical barrier and spatial restrain. Knowing new acquaintances or even potential the other half via social media is no longer novel. Thus, Internet users tend to let their guard down and exercise less caution in disclosing their personal particulars. They tend to give their true information to a new acquaintance or stranger whom they hardly know without giving a second thought. Their ignorance often lead them to become victims of love scam.

    In Singapore, the most common tactic used by love scam swindlers is to claim themselves as Caucasians and prey on middle age single women through online dating website. They will express their infatuation towards victims after a few conversations with them to gain their attention and trust. Victims are often fooled and deceived by their glib tongues and sweet words, without even bit of awareness. Eventually, they propose a face-to-face meet up session with the victims. Then, they will pretend to be detained by immigration officers for carrying excess cash and seek monetary help from the victims to secure their release. As the victims now are emotionally attached to the suspects and blinded by virtual love, they feel guilty to reject their request. In a scam alternative, the suspect would claim that he had mail valuable present such as branded bag or jewellery for the victims and the parcel are imposed with heavy taxation (Internet Love Scam, n.d.). He would then request the victim to transfer a certain amount of money so that she can retrieve the parcel.

  Despite the surging rate of cyber love scam, attention has been diverted from other cybercrimes to cyber love scam. Since the problem is rooted from social media, online approaches are thought to be more effective in addressing it. Singapore Police Force (SPF) has set up an officially Facebook page so that it is more approachable by community. One of its post in year 2014 has revealed the most typical tactics of cyber love scam and plausible measurements to encounter it. (Singapore Police Force, n.d.). Nonetheless, this is not an efficient approach in reducing cyber love scam as the post is only accessible to those who have subscribed to the page. Furthermore, the page is not being updated consistently. There should be a special team who is specialised in managing the page to ensure that the webpage is being adorned with useful information. In addition, the page should be boosted so that its posts are visible to most of the Facebook users.

   On the other hand, private banking company in Singapore has played its role in reducing cyber love scam. Western Union is on the helm in training their working staff to identify possible money fraud. Besides, Western Union has taken the initiative to encourage victims of love scam to stand up and share their heart-wrenching stories with others. Every story heard would be a lesson learnt. It also plans to work together with women advocacy groups to uphold women interest .They hope to reach out to more victims and encouraged them to overcome their inner fear to share their past experience in person or through video recordings(Beware online love scams, women told, 2013).

  

  To eradicate cyber love scam more thoroughly, cooperation from women advocacy groups would be much appreciated. Since women advocacy groups have the most contact with the “potential” victims of cyber love scam, they should not shrink their obligatory.  Thus, they should join hand with the relevant government organization to conduct talks and campaigns which aim to educate women on ways to protect themselves while surfing online. Over disclosure of personal information is perilous and repugnant ramification may plague on them. From an individual perspective, we should abandon our indifferent attitude and show full supportive towards the campaigns.

   In a nutshell, social media is a marvellous platform to widen our friend zones. With just a few simple taps on the keyboard, a list of potential friend is generated within a few seconds. Simultaneously, the advantage of online socialising is confronted with the growing rate of cyber love scam. This problem is preventable if extra prudent is practised by website users. As a woman, we should be on our guard against strangers and do not trust others easily.

Reference

Beware online love scams, women told. (2013, May 21). Retrieved March 5, 2015, from

             http://www.straitstimes.com/breaking-news/singapore/story/beware-online-love-scams-women-told-20130521

Internet Love Scam. (n.d.). Retrieved March 5, 2015, from http://www.scamalert.sg/scams/internet-love-scam.html

Singapore's crime rate falls to 30-year low. (2014, February 14). Retrieved March 5, 2015, from https://sg.news.yahoo.com/singapore-s-crime-rate-falls-to-30-year-low-105825797.html

Singapore Police Force. (n.d.). Retrieved March 5, 2015, from https://www.facebook.com/singaporepoliceforce