Question 1

What is the "Government Official Impersonation Phone Scam" scam in Singapore?

Accepted Answer

Scammers call victims via phone or WhatsApp video call posing as Singapore Police Force (SPF), Monetary Authority of Singapore (MAS), or Ministry of Digital Development officers. The caller claims the victim is linked to money laundering or illegal transactions and demands bank credentials or fund transfers to a "safe account" to assist an investigation. Callers use fake warrant cards, official-looking uniforms, and spoofed caller IDs to appear credible. Singapore authorities issued multiple advisories in 2024 and 2025 after losses topped S$120 million in a single year. Hang up immediately on any unsolicited call claiming to be from a government agency demanding money or personal information. Real SPF, MAS, and government officials never ask you to transfer funds or share banking credentials over the phone. Call the ScamShield Helpline at 1799 to verify.

Question 2

What is the "WhatsApp Job Scam" scam in Singapore?

Accepted Answer

Victims receive an unsolicited WhatsApp message offering easy part-time work — typically completing product reviews, boosting app ratings, or clicking ads for a commission. After small initial payments to build trust, the victim is asked to make upfront deposits to "unlock" higher-value tasks. The payments escalate until the victim stops paying, at which point all access and accumulated earnings vanish. Singapore's GovTech and SPF flagged this as one of the top five scam types in 2024–2025, with thousands of reports annually. Ignore unsolicited WhatsApp messages offering online work, especially those that eventually require you to pay money to earn money. Legitimate employers never ask workers to front capital as part of a job. Report suspicious numbers to ScamShield.

Question 3

What is the "Parcel Delivery Phishing SMS" scam in Singapore?

Accepted Answer

Victims receive an SMS or WhatsApp message claiming a SingPost or courier parcel could not be delivered due to an incomplete address, with a link to confirm delivery details. The link leads to a convincing phishing site that harvests credit or debit card numbers. Singapore Police Force reported 631+ cases and over S$1.1 million in losses since January 2024, with a WhatsApp variant emerging in early 2026 involving SingPost impersonation. Never click links in unsolicited SMS or WhatsApp messages about parcel deliveries. Go directly to the official SingPost website (singpost.com) by typing it into your browser. SingPost will never ask for card details to redeliver a package.

Question 4

What is the "Pig-Butchering Romance Investment Scam" scam in Singapore?

Accepted Answer

A stranger contacts the victim on a dating app, WhatsApp, or social media with a well-crafted romantic or friendly persona — often claiming to be a successful professional based in Singapore or abroad. Over days or weeks the relationship deepens before the contact casually mentions a profitable cryptocurrency or forex investment platform they use. Victims are guided to deposit increasing amounts; the platform fabricates huge returns until the victim tries to withdraw funds and discovers access is blocked. Singapore recorded 852 love scam cases with S$27.6 million lost in 2024 alone. Never invest money based on advice from someone you have only met online, regardless of how genuine the relationship feels. Verify any investment platform with the MAS Financial Institution Directory (mas.gov.sg). If someone you have not met in person suggests an investment, it is almost certainly a scam.

Question 5

What is the "Credit Card Skimming in Hawker Centres" scam in Singapore?

Accepted Answer

In rare cases, card terminals in busy hawker centres have been compromised. More commonly, tourists who leave wallets on tables in crowded food courts have them stolen while distracted. Pay cash in hawker centres rather than using cards. Keep wallets and phones secured in a bag and never on the table.

Online Scams in Singapore

Government Official Impersonation Phone Scam

WhatsApp Job Scam

Parcel Delivery Phishing SMS

Pig-Butchering Romance Investment Scam

Credit Card Skimming in Hawker Centres

Experienced a scam here?