Synopsis: This is a special 10-part podcast series by The Straits Times to raise greater public awareness of the modern scourge of scams in Singapore and globally.

In Singapore, nearly $1 billion has been lost by scam victims since 2016. Mutating and spreading, different types of scams have infiltrated every aspect of our lives, from romance to work. The police are cracking down on offenders. What can you do to protect yourself?

In the series’ ninth episode, ST’s deputy news editor Andre Yeo, crime correspondent David Sun and journalist Jessie Lim speak with Ms Verena Chin, owner of home-based bakery Le Artisserie.

During the episode, Ms Chin recounts her experience of having her Instagram business account taken over by scammers and how she regained it within two days.

She also advises Instagram users on the steps they can take to recover their accounts - such as immediately requesting a change in e-mail address and asking friends to report to Instagram, if their accounts have been hacked.