A cleverly directed campaign video posted to the Instagram page of Singapore’s Hougang Neighbourhood Police Centre on April 1 has drawn more than 211,000 likes, 2,400 comments, and 8,900 shares.
The video is part of a campaign warning the public against love scams — a form of fraud in which perpetrators pose as romantic interests to deceive victims.
The clip opens with a police officer holding a cup and addressing the camera directly: “You must be wondering what I’m drinking here.” He then reveals the cup is empty — and that he is not holding it at all. The cup is being held by a hand positioned just outside the frame, unseen until that moment.
The reveal sets up the video’s closing message, delivered by Assistant Superintendent of Police Benjamin Cheah: “Don’t believe everything you see online. Because what you see is not even the real me.”
View this post on Instagram
The post’s caption extends the warning to its audience: “Beware of love scams. The people you meet online may not always be who they appear to be.”
