Monday, December 24, 2012
More S'poreans fall prey to "lucky draw" phone scams
More S'poreans fall prey to "lucky draw" phone scams
Posted: 23 December 2012 1628 hrs
SINGAPORE: More Singaporeans fell prey to lucky draw phone scams in the first eight months of the year.
Police said there were 234 reported cases in the period, of which 134 victims were cheated of their money.
Between January and August last year, there were 201 reported cases of lucky draw phone scams and 123 victims who were cheated.
The amount of money cheated from victims went up by 21 per cent to S$4.6 million, compared to S$3.8 million in the same period last year.
Police said victims include professionals, youths and senior citizens.
Tricksters would typically call their victims and inform them that they have won a prize in a lucky draw overseas.
In order to redeem the prize, which could be a luxury car or air tickets, the victim will have to pay a processing fee or tax upfront.
After receiving the first payment via bank transfers, the tricksters would ask for subsequent payments.
The victim usually realises he or she has been cheated when the culprit becomes uncontactable.
Police advised the public to call 999 immediately if they receive a lucky draw phone scam call.
The public should not make any advance payment to claim any prize.
On the other hand, fewer phone kidnap scam cases were reported in the first eight months of the year.
Police said it received 251 reports from the public. This is a 36 per cent fall from the same period last year, which saw 393 cases.
Of the reported cases, 20 individuals lost S$115,000 to scammers.
The amount lost registered a 39 per cent fall as compared to the period between January and August last year, where victims were cheated of S$189,000.
In these scams, the modus operandi involves the culprits calling the victims to inform them that their family member had been kidnapped.
The family member who was purportedly kidnapped would plead for help over the phone.
The victims would then be compelled to pay a ransom via a selected remittance centre.
Police said some of the remittance centres where victims were often instructed to proceed to are located in Ang Mo Kio Central, People's Park Complex and Pearl's Centre.
In almost all cases, the victim could negotiate with the culprit on the ransom sum to an amount that the victim could afford.
Members of the public are advised to call the police at 999 if they receive a phone kidnap scam call.
They should remain calm and contact their family member to confirm his or her safety, and should not remit any money to the scammers.
- CNA/xq
- wong chee tat :)
Posted: 23 December 2012 1628 hrs
SINGAPORE: More Singaporeans fell prey to lucky draw phone scams in the first eight months of the year.
Police said there were 234 reported cases in the period, of which 134 victims were cheated of their money.
Between January and August last year, there were 201 reported cases of lucky draw phone scams and 123 victims who were cheated.
The amount of money cheated from victims went up by 21 per cent to S$4.6 million, compared to S$3.8 million in the same period last year.
Police said victims include professionals, youths and senior citizens.
Tricksters would typically call their victims and inform them that they have won a prize in a lucky draw overseas.
In order to redeem the prize, which could be a luxury car or air tickets, the victim will have to pay a processing fee or tax upfront.
After receiving the first payment via bank transfers, the tricksters would ask for subsequent payments.
The victim usually realises he or she has been cheated when the culprit becomes uncontactable.
Police advised the public to call 999 immediately if they receive a lucky draw phone scam call.
The public should not make any advance payment to claim any prize.
On the other hand, fewer phone kidnap scam cases were reported in the first eight months of the year.
Police said it received 251 reports from the public. This is a 36 per cent fall from the same period last year, which saw 393 cases.
Of the reported cases, 20 individuals lost S$115,000 to scammers.
The amount lost registered a 39 per cent fall as compared to the period between January and August last year, where victims were cheated of S$189,000.
In these scams, the modus operandi involves the culprits calling the victims to inform them that their family member had been kidnapped.
The family member who was purportedly kidnapped would plead for help over the phone.
The victims would then be compelled to pay a ransom via a selected remittance centre.
Police said some of the remittance centres where victims were often instructed to proceed to are located in Ang Mo Kio Central, People's Park Complex and Pearl's Centre.
In almost all cases, the victim could negotiate with the culprit on the ransom sum to an amount that the victim could afford.
Members of the public are advised to call the police at 999 if they receive a phone kidnap scam call.
They should remain calm and contact their family member to confirm his or her safety, and should not remit any money to the scammers.
- CNA/xq
- wong chee tat :)
New diagnostic kit allows testing for ricin poisoning
New diagnostic kit allows testing for ricin poisoning
By Seet Sok Hwee, Try Sutrisno Foo | Posted: 22 December 2012 2246 hrs
SINGAPORE: A new diagnostic kit developed by Singapore's DSO National Laboratories and the Defence Science Technology Organisation (DSTO) in Australia will allow for the testing of a potent toxin, known as ricin, in humans.
Ricin is found in the common castor bean plant and oil produced from the plant is widely used industrially.
A dose as small as a few grains of salt can kill an adult human if it is inhaled or injected.
The danger of ricin poisoning lies in the symptoms exhibited, which are similar to common food poisoning or respiratory illness.
This makes the diagnosis of ricin poisoning particularly challenging.
Ricin has also been known to be used in biological warfare.
With the new kit, ricin poisoning can be immediately detected, by running human samples such blood and stools, through the kit.
"For this test, we only need 50 micro-litres of sample. That's probably equivalent to two drops if you do a fingerprick," said Chen Hsiao Ying, senior technical staff at the Defence, Medical & Environmental Research Institute.
A person can only be tested after ricin has been in the body for at least eight hours.
Current diagnostic kits can test for ricin contamination in food, soil or water, but not humans.
The new kit will be commercially available in two years' time.
- CNA/xq
- wong chee tat :)
By Seet Sok Hwee, Try Sutrisno Foo | Posted: 22 December 2012 2246 hrs
SINGAPORE: A new diagnostic kit developed by Singapore's DSO National Laboratories and the Defence Science Technology Organisation (DSTO) in Australia will allow for the testing of a potent toxin, known as ricin, in humans.
Ricin is found in the common castor bean plant and oil produced from the plant is widely used industrially.
A dose as small as a few grains of salt can kill an adult human if it is inhaled or injected.
The danger of ricin poisoning lies in the symptoms exhibited, which are similar to common food poisoning or respiratory illness.
This makes the diagnosis of ricin poisoning particularly challenging.
Ricin has also been known to be used in biological warfare.
With the new kit, ricin poisoning can be immediately detected, by running human samples such blood and stools, through the kit.
"For this test, we only need 50 micro-litres of sample. That's probably equivalent to two drops if you do a fingerprick," said Chen Hsiao Ying, senior technical staff at the Defence, Medical & Environmental Research Institute.
A person can only be tested after ricin has been in the body for at least eight hours.
Current diagnostic kits can test for ricin contamination in food, soil or water, but not humans.
The new kit will be commercially available in two years' time.
- CNA/xq
- wong chee tat :)
Top bid for Chinatown CNY bazaar stalls drops 60%
Top bid for Chinatown CNY bazaar stalls drops 60%
By Claire Huang | Posted: 22 December 2012 2218 hrs
SINGAPORE: The bidding war for stalls at the Lunar New Year bazaar in Chinatown has begun. The bazaar will be on from January 18 till the eve of Lunar New Year on February 9.
Guangzhou Wax Meat owner Yip Wai Keong made the top bid for two stalls at the junction of Smith Street and Trengganu Street, where human traffic is the heaviest.
He paid S$5,000 for each stall, 60 per cent less than the previous year. He bid S$12,888 for one stall in the same area last year.
There are 500 stalls at the bazaar and of these, only 50 were up for bidding.
Mr Yip had also rented two stalls in the area for S$4,000 each.
He said: "As we've already got these two stalls, it doesn't matter if we win the bids this year. There's no pressure to do so; we didn't have to put in a high bid this year."
Stall owners said they are worried about the unpredictable weather and take a cautious approach when ordering their supplies.
- CNA/xq
- wong chee tat :)
By Claire Huang | Posted: 22 December 2012 2218 hrs
SINGAPORE: The bidding war for stalls at the Lunar New Year bazaar in Chinatown has begun. The bazaar will be on from January 18 till the eve of Lunar New Year on February 9.
Guangzhou Wax Meat owner Yip Wai Keong made the top bid for two stalls at the junction of Smith Street and Trengganu Street, where human traffic is the heaviest.
He paid S$5,000 for each stall, 60 per cent less than the previous year. He bid S$12,888 for one stall in the same area last year.
There are 500 stalls at the bazaar and of these, only 50 were up for bidding.
Mr Yip had also rented two stalls in the area for S$4,000 each.
He said: "As we've already got these two stalls, it doesn't matter if we win the bids this year. There's no pressure to do so; we didn't have to put in a high bid this year."
Stall owners said they are worried about the unpredictable weather and take a cautious approach when ordering their supplies.
- CNA/xq
- wong chee tat :)
Retail sector growth slows: Savills
Retail sector growth slows: Savills
Property GuruProperty Guru – Tue, Dec 18, 2012
by Cheryl Tay
The Christmas season has brought little joy to retailers as they face lacklustre sales, according to the Q4 2012 Retail Briefing by Savills Research.
Excluding motor vehicles, retail sales posted a growth of 1.3 percent. However, year-on-year growth slowed to -0.6 percent (4.1 percent since April 2012). At the same time, sales of jewellery and watches — a measure of discretionary spending — fell for six straight months in October.
Retailers were also generally cautious in expanding their stores in H2 2012, with several looking to consolidate their operations. Nevertheless, existing retailers and new entrants who increased their presence were offered space with attractive rents and strategic locations.
Stores that expanded include famous brands such as Uniqlo, Toys"R"Us, Sephora, Lowrys Farm, Isetan and H&M. The latter opened its second store in ION Orchard, while Babies"R"Us and Toys"R"Us opened two adjacent stores in City Square Mall (pictured), with a combined area of 25,000 sq ft.
In addition, two malls — Chinatown Point and Plaza Singapura's new wing — opened in November. Formerly known as The Atrium@Orchard, the new wing increased Plaza Singapura's net leasable area to 629,000 sq ft from 498,150 sq ft.
Average prime rents on Orchard Road slid to S$35.1 psf pm in Q4 from S$35.2 in the previous quarter, while rents in prime suburban areas remained at S$31.1 psf pm.
"In the absence of extreme shocks, such as the 2009 supply onslaught of nearly 1.3 million sq ft on Orchard Road and negative GDP growth, we expect just a mild rental correction of up to three percent in the main shopping belt," said Alan Cheong, Director at Savills Research Singapore.Cheryl Tay, Editor of CommericalGuru, wrote this story. To contact her about this or other stories, email cheryltay@allproperty.com.sg
- wong chee tat :)
Property GuruProperty Guru – Tue, Dec 18, 2012
by Cheryl Tay
The Christmas season has brought little joy to retailers as they face lacklustre sales, according to the Q4 2012 Retail Briefing by Savills Research.
Excluding motor vehicles, retail sales posted a growth of 1.3 percent. However, year-on-year growth slowed to -0.6 percent (4.1 percent since April 2012). At the same time, sales of jewellery and watches — a measure of discretionary spending — fell for six straight months in October.
Retailers were also generally cautious in expanding their stores in H2 2012, with several looking to consolidate their operations. Nevertheless, existing retailers and new entrants who increased their presence were offered space with attractive rents and strategic locations.
Stores that expanded include famous brands such as Uniqlo, Toys"R"Us, Sephora, Lowrys Farm, Isetan and H&M. The latter opened its second store in ION Orchard, while Babies"R"Us and Toys"R"Us opened two adjacent stores in City Square Mall (pictured), with a combined area of 25,000 sq ft.
In addition, two malls — Chinatown Point and Plaza Singapura's new wing — opened in November. Formerly known as The Atrium@Orchard, the new wing increased Plaza Singapura's net leasable area to 629,000 sq ft from 498,150 sq ft.
Average prime rents on Orchard Road slid to S$35.1 psf pm in Q4 from S$35.2 in the previous quarter, while rents in prime suburban areas remained at S$31.1 psf pm.
"In the absence of extreme shocks, such as the 2009 supply onslaught of nearly 1.3 million sq ft on Orchard Road and negative GDP growth, we expect just a mild rental correction of up to three percent in the main shopping belt," said Alan Cheong, Director at Savills Research Singapore.Cheryl Tay, Editor of CommericalGuru, wrote this story. To contact her about this or other stories, email cheryltay@allproperty.com.sg
- wong chee tat :)
Rent in Orchard Rd prime areas down 0.28% in Q4
Rent in Orchard Rd prime areas down 0.28% in Q4
By Lip Kwok Wai, Alice Chia | Posted: 22 December 2012 2141 hrs
SINGAPORE: Prime area rent for shopping malls and retailers in Orchard Road inched down 0.28 per cent this quarter, compared to the previous quarter.
In a report by Savills World Research, average monthly rent in prime areas in Orchard Road were S$35.1 per square foot in the fourth quarter.
This is a slight drop from the S$35.2 per square foot in Q3.
Analysts felt that this is due to adjustments in the market, as rent in the area were growing too fast previously.
Alan Cheong, director of Savills Research said the fall could be due to over-expecting the level of tourism in Singapore.
He said: "While (tourism) did increase, apparently the spending power did not quite live up to its expectation. Rent and performance in the Orchard Road belt will be dependent on tourism trade and on the state of the economy."
More retail spaces will also be available soon.
Recently, Plaza Singapura completed its expansion works, providing 80 more shops.
A larger scale development, Orchard Gateway, will provide 180,000 square feet of retail space next year.
Analysts also say that a gloomy economic outlook ahead could also see rent fall by up to 3 per cent, and if economic growth slows, people will spend less.
Retailers may then take a hit, in turn exerting a downward pressure on rent.
- CNA/xq
- wong chee tat :)
By Lip Kwok Wai, Alice Chia | Posted: 22 December 2012 2141 hrs
SINGAPORE: Prime area rent for shopping malls and retailers in Orchard Road inched down 0.28 per cent this quarter, compared to the previous quarter.
In a report by Savills World Research, average monthly rent in prime areas in Orchard Road were S$35.1 per square foot in the fourth quarter.
This is a slight drop from the S$35.2 per square foot in Q3.
Analysts felt that this is due to adjustments in the market, as rent in the area were growing too fast previously.
Alan Cheong, director of Savills Research said the fall could be due to over-expecting the level of tourism in Singapore.
He said: "While (tourism) did increase, apparently the spending power did not quite live up to its expectation. Rent and performance in the Orchard Road belt will be dependent on tourism trade and on the state of the economy."
More retail spaces will also be available soon.
Recently, Plaza Singapura completed its expansion works, providing 80 more shops.
A larger scale development, Orchard Gateway, will provide 180,000 square feet of retail space next year.
Analysts also say that a gloomy economic outlook ahead could also see rent fall by up to 3 per cent, and if economic growth slows, people will spend less.
Retailers may then take a hit, in turn exerting a downward pressure on rent.
- CNA/xq
- wong chee tat :)
Demand for rice in China falls with rising affluence
Demand for rice in China falls with rising affluence
By Valarie Tan | Posted: 23 December 2012 2234 hrs
JILIN: China may be the world's biggest rice consumer, but some say demand will fall, as its people become more affluent and consume more meat and dairy products.
Nearly 200 million tonnes are produced in China each year.
But as grain processing became more mechanized, the appetite of affluent Chinese has also became more polished.
On average, a person in China is said to consume 90 kilograms of rice each year.
While that number is also the highest in the world right now, it is also expected to decrease over time.
With growing affluence, the Chinese are reportedly supplementing their diet with more dairy products, such as milk and cheese.
Meat and other protein-rich products are almost considered staple food.
Changing dietary patterns have led experts to predict that rice consumption in China will fall by half in the next decade.
A similar trend is already seen in countries like Japan and South Korea.
Despite changing dietary habits, Singapore-based Wilmar International remains positive.
"Those who eat more protein and dairy products will also demand for better quality rice. They're after the consumer-pack premium rice, so it won't affect demand," said Wu Zhihua, rice division director of Wilmar International.
"In recent years, consumer-pack rice has reached a volume of 6 to 7 million tonnes and is growing at 4 to 50 per cent each year."
Wilmar International is already China's largest producer of consumer-pack oil, under the brand Golden Dragon Fish.
Wilmar International has set its sights on growing its market share of consumer-pack rice - which currently stands at five per cent - by investing in better crops.
Mr Wu said: "Our investment here will be bigger than the ones for normal padi. The farmer must be incentivized to grow better crop for every order. While it's a huge investment, the unique grade of harvested crop can be processed into better rice and in turn fetch a higher price in the market."
Demand will also be kept up by another trend, where rural residents switch from wheat to a rice diet.
It is enough to drive up this year's projected rice consumption to over 137 million tons.
- CNA/xq
- wong chee tat :)
By Valarie Tan | Posted: 23 December 2012 2234 hrs
JILIN: China may be the world's biggest rice consumer, but some say demand will fall, as its people become more affluent and consume more meat and dairy products.
Nearly 200 million tonnes are produced in China each year.
But as grain processing became more mechanized, the appetite of affluent Chinese has also became more polished.
On average, a person in China is said to consume 90 kilograms of rice each year.
While that number is also the highest in the world right now, it is also expected to decrease over time.
With growing affluence, the Chinese are reportedly supplementing their diet with more dairy products, such as milk and cheese.
Meat and other protein-rich products are almost considered staple food.
Changing dietary patterns have led experts to predict that rice consumption in China will fall by half in the next decade.
A similar trend is already seen in countries like Japan and South Korea.
Despite changing dietary habits, Singapore-based Wilmar International remains positive.
"Those who eat more protein and dairy products will also demand for better quality rice. They're after the consumer-pack premium rice, so it won't affect demand," said Wu Zhihua, rice division director of Wilmar International.
"In recent years, consumer-pack rice has reached a volume of 6 to 7 million tonnes and is growing at 4 to 50 per cent each year."
Wilmar International is already China's largest producer of consumer-pack oil, under the brand Golden Dragon Fish.
Wilmar International has set its sights on growing its market share of consumer-pack rice - which currently stands at five per cent - by investing in better crops.
Mr Wu said: "Our investment here will be bigger than the ones for normal padi. The farmer must be incentivized to grow better crop for every order. While it's a huge investment, the unique grade of harvested crop can be processed into better rice and in turn fetch a higher price in the market."
Demand will also be kept up by another trend, where rural residents switch from wheat to a rice diet.
It is enough to drive up this year's projected rice consumption to over 137 million tons.
- CNA/xq
- wong chee tat :)
More renting cars & yachts this festive season
More renting cars & yachts this festive season
By Hu Jielan, Hetty Musfirah | Posted: 23 December 2012 1759 hrs
SINGAPORE: More Singaporeans are renting cars and yachts for their celebrations this festive season.
The number of short-term car rentals at Prime Car Rental has gone up by about 50 per cent during the festive period.
The company said MPVs are particularly popular, compared to other cars.
For some, it is all about splurging a bit more to celebrate in style.
"We don't really visit the Southern Islands that much and we don't come out to sea very often. So it's something new," said a Singaporean who had rented a yacht.
A four to five-hour cruise on a yacht can cost between S$1,500 and S$4,000, depending on the size.
MarineBookings said almost all of its vessels have been booked for Christmas Eve and the New Year period.
- CNA/xq
- wong chee tat :)
By Hu Jielan, Hetty Musfirah | Posted: 23 December 2012 1759 hrs
SINGAPORE: More Singaporeans are renting cars and yachts for their celebrations this festive season.
The number of short-term car rentals at Prime Car Rental has gone up by about 50 per cent during the festive period.
The company said MPVs are particularly popular, compared to other cars.
For some, it is all about splurging a bit more to celebrate in style.
"We don't really visit the Southern Islands that much and we don't come out to sea very often. So it's something new," said a Singaporean who had rented a yacht.
A four to five-hour cruise on a yacht can cost between S$1,500 and S$4,000, depending on the size.
MarineBookings said almost all of its vessels have been booked for Christmas Eve and the New Year period.
- CNA/xq
- wong chee tat :)
Flea markets making a comeback in S'pore
Flea markets making a comeback in S'pore
By Tan Qiuyi | Posted: 23 December 2012 2116 hrs
SINGAPORE: Singapore is seeing a revival of the humble flea market.
Organisers said the number of people keen to set up a flea market stall has jumped from 600 two years ago, to 15,000 today.
The number of flea market locations has also risen from two to at least 10.
It costs about S$50 to rent a stall for a day.
The relatively low rent has resulted in young people jumping on the bandwagon and renting stalls to flex their entrepreneurial skills.
Organisers said there are plans to offer permanent stalls or push carts at lower cost for budding entrepreneurs.
- CNA/xq
- wong chee tat :)
By Tan Qiuyi | Posted: 23 December 2012 2116 hrs
SINGAPORE: Singapore is seeing a revival of the humble flea market.
Organisers said the number of people keen to set up a flea market stall has jumped from 600 two years ago, to 15,000 today.
The number of flea market locations has also risen from two to at least 10.
It costs about S$50 to rent a stall for a day.
The relatively low rent has resulted in young people jumping on the bandwagon and renting stalls to flex their entrepreneurial skills.
Organisers said there are plans to offer permanent stalls or push carts at lower cost for budding entrepreneurs.
- CNA/xq
- wong chee tat :)
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