The Singapore Police Force has arrested 22 suspects and is investigating nine others in connection with government impersonation scams.
The suspects allegedly acted as runners in elaborate fraud schemes targeting unsuspecting victims.
Two-Month Operation Nets Multiple Arrests
Police began their enforcement action in March 2025 after receiving reports of scams involving fake bank staff and government officials.
Advertisements
Between 13 March and 22 May 2025, authorities arrested 17 men and five women aged between 22 and 56 years old. Another four men and five women, aged between 22 and 77 years old, are assisting with investigations.
The scam typically begins with victims receiving calls from individuals claiming to be bank employees or staff from Chinese service providers like WeChat.
These fake officials tell victims they are involved in criminal cases and need to be transferred to “police officers” for further explanation.
The imposter police then convince victims to hand over cash, jewelry, or bank cards to avoid asset freezing or property confiscation.
In some cases, scammers instruct victims to purchase gold bars before surrendering them to local “representatives.”
Suspects Acted as Intermediaries in Fraud Network
Initial investigations reveal the 31 suspects allegedly served as runners across different cases. They collected cash, bank cards, jewelry, or gold bars from victims before passing items to the next runner or leaving them at designated locations for collection.
Victims only discovered the scam after losing contact with the fraudsters or confirming with banks and police that no legitimate investigation was taking place.
Police seized various items during the operation, including bank cards and cash.
Advertisements
Authorities Warn Against Becoming Unwitting Accomplices
The Singapore Police Force emphasizes serious consequences for anyone involved in fraud activities. Offenders face legal action under Singapore law.
Police warn the public against becoming criminal accomplices by surrendering Singpass credentials, bank accounts, or mobile phone lines to others.
Those whose details are used in criminal activities will be held accountable.
Government officials will never request bank transfers over the phone or ask for banking login credentials during calls. They also will not instruct the public to download applications from unofficial app stores.
The public can access anti-scam information at the ScamShield website https://www.scamshield.gov.sg/ or call the hotline at 1799.
Advertisements
2024
Government impersonation scams surged sharply in Singapore back in 2024.
Authorities reported 1,504 cases for the year, with losses totaling at least S$151.3 million, making it one of the top scam types by total amount lost and highest average loss per case (about S$100,622).
The number of cases and losses nearly doubled compared to 2023, with 1,100 cases and S$120 million lost reported just in the first ten months of 2024, compared to 680 cases and S$67 million in the same period of 2023.
While 2025 has seen continued high levels of such scams, the tactics have evolved further, prompting ongoing enhancements in enforcement and public education to counter these persistent threats.
Would you be jailed for being half-naked in public? Well, the answer will shock you. Seriously. Watch this to the end and you'll understand:
Read Also:
- Four Hospitalized as Singapore Car Collides with Malaysia Bus during Failed Safety Procedures at Woodlands Checkpoint
- DPM Gan Kim Yong Launches $3 Budget Meal Vending Machine in Punggol
- 71-Year-Old Worker Injured with Eight Stitches after Food Delivery Rider’s Warning Bell Startles Him
- Trump “Loses” as US Judge Blocks Administration from Revoking Harvard Foreign Students’ Enrolment
- 43-Year-Old Actress Fiona Xie Reveals Health Scare Details Following Extensive Medical Examination
- 6 Deals for SG60 Because Everything Also SG60
