PUBLISHED ONOctober 21, 2026 11:12 AMBYSean LerUsing search engines such as Google to look up telecommunications provider Simba?
Check carefully and do not simply click on the top sponsored results, or you could be the next phishing victim.
In an advisory issued on Wednesday (Oct 21), the police said that they have received at least 62 reports on such cases since March this year, with losses amounting to at least $83,000.
Victims who used Google to search for Simba top-up services clicked on fake Simba websites.
These websites appeared among the top results as they were sponsored through paid search advertisements.
Victims who entered such websites were prompted to enter their personal and banking details, including their mobiles numbers, bank card information, digital token approval, or one-time password.
They would only realise that they had been scammed when they discovered unauthorised card transactions.
Members of the public are advised that websites appearing at the top in search engine results or as sponsored advertisements can be phishing websites impersonating popular brand names.
They should check the website address carefully, used a previously searched bookmark or type the known address directly.
SIMBA's actual website address for top-up services is https://topup.simba.sg, while fake websites that have been identified so far, carry domain extensions ending with "asia", "shop", "icu", "life", "cfd" and "cyou".
Those who are in doubt whether they are accessing a phishing website can contact the 24/7 ScamShield helpline at 1799 for more information.
[[nid:748333]]
