The Singapore Police Force (SPF) and the Monetary Authority of Singapore (MAS) have issued a joint warning about a sharp increase in government impersonation scams.
At least 100 cases reported and losses exceeding S$6.7 million in September 2024 alone.
These scams involve fraudsters posing as bank officers, often from major banks like DBS, OCBC, UOB, or Standard Chartered, to deceive victims.
The scam typically begins with an unsolicited call claiming suspicious activity or a new credit card issued in the victim’s name.
Once the victim denies involvement, the call is transferred to another scammer impersonating a government official, sometimes even appearing in video calls with fake uniforms, badges, and agency logos.
These scammers may also use messaging apps like WhatsApp and even provide fabricated warrant cards or official documents to appear legitimate.
Victims are then accused of crimes like money laundering and pressured to transfer funds to so-called “safety accounts” for investigation purposes.
Many victims only realize they have been scammed when the scammers disappear or when they attempt to verify the situation with authorities.
The SPF and MAS urge the public to be vigilant and take precautions, such as enabling international call blocking, two-factor authentication, and using the “Money Lock” feature to secure part of their savings.
They also advise verifying any suspicious claims through official sources like the ScamShield helpline (1799) or website.
It is important to note that police will never demand money transfers during investigations.
Individuals are encouraged to report any suspicious activity to the Police Hotline at 1800-255-0000 or online at www.police.gov.sg/i-witness.
Featured image credit: Edited from Freepik
