A DBS Bank employee helped an elderly woman avoid losing more than S$200,000 in a suspected scam, according to The Straits Times.

The incident occurred on 24 December 2024, when a woman in her 70s arrived at the bank’s Century Square branch asking to withdraw S$190,000 in cash.

Staff noticed she appeared highly unsettled and became defensive when questioned about the large withdrawal.

She kept her phone to her ear throughout the exchange and avoided eye contact, which heightened concerns that someone was directing her on what to say.

Assistant service manager Fionice Teoh, who was 38 weeks pregnant and nearing maternity leave, continued to ask questions despite being shouted at for almost two hours.

She felt that her role extended beyond processing transactions and that she needed to safeguard vulnerable customers who might be under pressure.

After repeated attempts to calm the woman, Teoh persuaded her to return the next day, allowing time for the bank’s anti-scam team and the police to step in.

That evening, an officer from the Anti-Scam Centre visited the woman’s home and discovered she had already taken out S$12,000 from another branch.

She had been preparing to hand the money to scammers posing as bank staff and law enforcement officers who claimed her accounts were linked to a money laundering investigation.

They had also warned that her family could face consequences if she stopped cooperating.

It took the officer close to an hour to convince her she was being deceived.

The intervention prevented her from losing more than S$200,000 of her savings.

A few days later, she returned quietly to the branch with a small bag of chocolates to express her gratitude.

Teoh said many victims feel ashamed about falling for scams, so the gesture was meaningful to the team.

Scams continue to cause significant losses in Singapore. Since 2020, victims have lost around S$4 billion.

In 2024 alone, there were 1,504 cases of government official impersonation scams, with losses exceeding S$151 million.

Recent legal changes allow courts to impose caning for serious scam-related offences, with penalties of up to 24 strokes.

DBS said it is strengthening its defence measures while ensuring services remain smooth for customers.

The public is encouraged to use tools such as the ScamShield app, install antivirus software and verify unexpected messages or calls directly with organisations.

Scam victims should notify the police and their financial institutions immediately. Support is available through the 24/7 ScamShield hotline at 1799.

Featured image: Edited by Fintech News Singapore/Malaysia, based on image by DBS