Singapore  - Singapore police arrested a 19-year-old man on Saturday in connection with an SMS hoax suggesting a terrorist attack in the city-state, media reports said Sunday.

The text message, which had several variations, said terrorists were planning to bomb the Bugis area and that there were many policemen there. It also advised the public to avoid the area, the Sunday Times newspaper reported.

"Although there was no credible evidence to suggest such an attack at that point in time, we took the information seriously and immediately put in place necessary precautions to enhance security in the area," the paper quoted a police spokesman as saying.

"We would like to assure the public that there is no cause for alarm as investigations have revealed that the SMS was indeed unsubstantiated," the spokesman said.

The offence may carry a sentence of one year in prison, a fine of up to 5,000 Singapore dollars (3,266 US dollars), or both. (dpa)