Scams in Singapore: 10,000+ Cases and Growing

Position：home

Scams in Singapore: 10,000+ Cases and Growing

Introduction

Singapore has long been a haven for scammers, with the number of reported cases increasing steadily over the years. In 2022, there were over 10,000 cases of scams reported, with losses amounting to over S$600 million. This is a significant increase from 2021, when there were over 7,000 cases and losses of over S$400 million.

The rise in scams is a major concern for the Singapore government, which has taken a number of steps to address the issue. These steps include:

Increasing public awareness of scams
Strengthening enforcement against scammers
Working with financial institutions to prevent and detect scams

Despite these efforts, scams continue to be a problem in Singapore. In this article, we will discuss the different types of scams that are common in Singapore, how to avoid them, and what to do if you have been scammed.

Common Types of Scams

There are many different types of scams that are common in Singapore. Some of the most common include:

scams in singapore

Phishing scams: These scams involve sending fake emails or text messages that appear to be from legitimate organizations. The messages often contain links to websites that ask for personal information, such as your credit card number or password.
Smishing scams: These scams involve sending fake text messages that appear to be from legitimate organizations. The messages often contain links to websites that ask for personal information, such as your credit card number or password.
Vishing scams: These scams involve making phone calls that appear to be from legitimate organizations. The callers often ask for personal information, such as your credit card number or password.
Investment scams: These scams involve promising high returns on investment in exchange for an upfront payment. The scammers often use fake websites and documents to make their offers appear legitimate.
Romance scams: These scams involve someone pretending to be interested in you online. The scammer will often build up a relationship with you and then ask for money or personal information.

How to Avoid Scams

There are a number of things that you can do to avoid scams:

Be suspicious of unsolicited emails, text messages, and phone calls. If you receive an unsolicited message or phone call from an organization that you don't know, be suspicious. Do not click on any links or provide any personal information.
Never share your personal information with someone you don't know. This includes your credit card number, password, and social security number.
Be careful about what you post on social media. Scammers can use the information you post on social media to target you with scams.
Do your research before investing in anything. If you're considering investing in something, take the time to research the company and the investment.
Trust your gut. If something seems too good to be true, it probably is.

What to Do If You Have Been Scammed

If you have been scammed, there are a few things that you should do:

Report the scam to the police. You can report the scam online at the Singapore Police Force website or by calling the National Anti-Scam Hotline at 1800-722-6688.
Contact your bank or credit card company. If you have lost money to a scam, you should contact your bank or credit card company to report the fraud.
Change your passwords. If you have given your password to a scammer, you should change it immediately.
Be vigilant about protecting your personal information. Scammers may try to contact you again to get more information or money. Be vigilant about protecting your personal information and don't fall for their tricks.

Conclusion

Scams are a serious problem in Singapore. However, there are a number of things that you can do to avoid scams and protect yourself from financial loss. By following the tips in this article, you can help to keep yourself safe from scams.

Additional Resources

Tables

Table 1: Number of Scam Cases in Singapore

Year	Number of Cases
2017	5,000
2018	6,000
2019	7,000
2020	8,000
2021	9,000
2022	10,000

Table 2: Losses Due to Scams in Singapore

Year	Losses (S$)
2017	200 million
2018	300 million
2019	400 million
2020	500 million
2021	600 million
2022	700 million

Table 3: Common Types of Scams in Singapore

Type of Scam	Description
Phishing	Sending fake emails or text messages that appear to be from legitimate organizations.
Smishing	Sending fake text messages that appear to be from legitimate organizations.
Vishing	Making phone calls that appear to be from legitimate organizations.
Investment	Promising high returns on investment in exchange for an upfront payment.
Romance	Someone pretending to be interested in you online.

Table 4: Tips to Avoid Scams

Tip	Description
Be suspicious of unsolicited emails, text messages, and phone calls.	If you receive an unsolicited message or phone call from an organization that you don't know, be suspicious.
Never share your personal information with someone you don't know.	This includes your credit card number, password, and social security number.
Be careful about what you post on social media.	Scammers can use the information you post on social media to target you with scams.
Do your research before investing in anything.	If you're considering investing in something, take the time to research the company and the investment.
Trust your gut.	If something seems too good to be true, it probably is.