Singapore Warns of Surge in Scams, Victims Lose S$362,000
Singapore has seen a surge in scam cases since September 2025, with victims losing a total of S$362,000. Authorities have warned the public about these incidents, which involve impersonators claiming to be from M1 Limited and the Monetary Authority of Singapore (MAS).
Victims have reported receiving unsolicited calls, including through WhatsApp, about unpaid mobile bills or pending phone deliveries. These calls appear to come from legitimate M1 caller IDs, but the numbers used are not genuine. Once connected, victims are told their personal details have been used for crimes and are instructed to transfer money for investigations via PayNow, in cash, or through cryptocurrency transfers. Banks in Singapore have started implementing safeguards to hold or block digital transfers exceeding 50 percent of an account's balance to prevent rapid withdrawals in suspected scam cases.
Authorities advise the public to install the ScamShield app, set transaction limits, enable low notification thresholds, alert banks of suspicious activity, and use Money Lock where available. It's crucial to remember that government officials will never ask the public to transfer money, disclose banking log-in details, or transfer calls to the police.
As of today, at least 13 scam cases have been reported, with victims losing a total of S$362,000. Anyone who suspects they have fallen victim to a scam should contact their bank immediately and lodge a police report. The public is urged to remain vigilant and follow the advised safety measures to protect themselves from such incidents.
