Sneaky Fundraisers in Singapore: How to Spot a Scam
What’s Happening?
Recently, a handful of folks have been walking around in the city, pushing keychains and plush toys while bragging about being former offenders or dedicated volunteers. They’re presenting themselves as representatives of the Yellow Ribbon Project—but that’s not the case.
Official Say‑Go
The Project’s Facebook page released a straight‑forward statement:
“We’re not running any public fundraising right now. We haven’t given OK to anyone to do this on our behalf.”
Both the project and the Yellow Ribbon Fund are on hiatus when it comes to reaching out to the public for money.
How to Verify Legitimate Collectors
- Charities that are legally allowed to raise funds must hold a Collector’s Certificate of Authority from the National Council of Social Services (NCSS) and a police permit.
- Every legitimate collector’s permit carries a QR code. Scan it to confirm authenticity.
- Want to double‑check? Send a text that reads “FR followed by the NCSS approval number to 79777—our Ministry of Culture, Community and Youth’s Charities Unit will reply.
- Think you’ve run into a fraudster? Dial 999 and notify the police.
Why This Matters
Misleading fundraisers can exploit people’s goodwill and could potentially siphon off donations that were meant to help genuine causes. By staying alert and verifying collectors through the QR code and official channels, you can help keep your generosity on the money‑path and away from rogue pockets.
In a Nutshell
There’s no public fundraising by Yellow Ribbon at the moment. If you encounter people soliciting donations in public, double‑check their credentials with the QR code or text message verification. If anything feels off, call the police. And remember—your support matters most when it reaches the right hands.
