Man duped after using third-party app to scan QR code on recycling machine
The Straits Times|May 13, 2023
 A man was duped into an online payment of US$39.99 (S$53) on Sunday after he used a third-party app to scan a legitimate QR code while trying to recycle his clothes at a recycling machine.
Sarah Koh
Man duped after using third-party app to scan QR code on recycling machine

Lianhe Zaobao reported on Friday that a resident in Ang Mo Kio Avenue 10, who gave his name only as Mr Liu, took his old clothes to the SG Recycle machine near his home on Sunday morning.

He used a third-party app to scan the QR code displayed on the machine with the intention of downloading the SG Recycle app.

Instead, he clicked on an advertisement that took him to a website that prompted him to enter his credit card information.

The 57-year-old said he entered his personal information as he believed the rewards for recycling old clothes would be credited to his card account.

He realised he had been duped only when the website showed that US$39.99 was charged to his credit card for a premium membership. It is not known what the membership is for.

Mr Liu then called his bank to deactivate his credit card and made a police report.

In response to queries from The Straits Times, SG Recycle marketing manager Sim Wei Liang said that the company is aware of this incident and another similar incident in April.

This story is from the May 13, 2023 edition of The Straits Times.

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This story is from the May 13, 2023 edition of The Straits Times.

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