This would have probably seemed exaggerated a couple of years ago, but because 2010 has recorded an 800% increase from 2009 of this scam, we thought it is worth mentioning.

Victims receive phone calls from strangers demanding ransom for their next-of-kin or friend, who is actually visiting Singapore at that time. Criminals are gathering all the necessary info from social networking sites (where everybody is just bragging where they travel) or even after befriending your family member there.

They take his home number for “future correspondence”, but then call the family. The crooks call the numbers right away and get somebody else to yell “Help” in the background. The scammers demand that the recipient of the call should wire the money within 10 minutes; otherwise they threaten to kill the family member.

Victims get scared when they realize the criminals have their phone numbers and know personal details of the "hostage" .

How to avoid: there is no such thing as a “reclaim expert” calling to offer help. You should know what your bank charges are- you agreed to them in the first place.ask to talk to the hostage, to confirm. If they refuse, just hang up.