SINGAPORE - A 23-year-old woman and a 32-year-old man have been arrested for cheating victims by selling them Hari Raya cakes and cookies on Instagram but not delivering the goods.

The pair, who The Straits Times understands were working together, advertised the sale of the confections on Instagram.

After getting victims to transfer the payment for their orders, the pair did not deliver the goods and could not be contacted.

ST understands that the Instagram account has since been taken down.

Victims made several police reports between June 19 and 21.

Bedok Police Division officers identified the suspects and arrested them on Thursday (June 29).

The woman will be charged with cheating. If convicted, she can be jailed for up to 10 years and fined.

Investigations against the man are ongoing.

The police in their statement on Friday advised the public to buy from official shopping platforms and to adopt the following precautions when shopping online:

- Bear in mind that the party you are dealing with online is a stranger;

- Before performing a transaction, find out how the online site safeguards your interest or can help you resolve disputes;

- Whenever possible, pay only on delivery;

- If advanced payments are required, use shopping platforms that provide arrangements to release your payment to the seller only upon your receipt of the item; and

- Visit scamalert.sg for more information on scams.