Investment Scam Trends in Singapore for 2025: From Crypto to Carbon Credits

Introduction

Investment scams are evolving rapidly. As Singapore strengthens its reputation as a global financial hub and a fintech leader, fraudsters are quick to adapt. They exploit new technologies, financial products and even social trends. In 2025, investors and everyday residents in Singapore face a growing range of fraudulent schemes, from crypto traps and fake wealth managers to carbon credit fraud, greenwashing investments and artificial intelligence–powered impersonations.

This article highlights the major investment scam trends to watch for in 2025, how these scams typically operate, and the red flags that every Singapore investor should know. You will also find practical steps for protecting your money and guidance on where to report suspicious activity locally.

Why Singapore is a Prime Target

• Highly connected population: Singaporeans adopt digital finance, mobile banking and e-wallets quickly, which creates more opportunities for scams.

• Concentrated wealth: Both residents and expatriates often hold significant investable assets, making them attractive targets.

• Trusted reputation: As a respected global financial centre, Singapore’s brand is often misused by scammers to create convincing but fake investment fronts.

• Cross-border fraud: Many scams are run from overseas, using shell companies and offshore accounts to complicate local enforcement.

Top Investment Scam Trends in Singapore for 2025

1. Crypto and DeFi Scams: Rug Pulls, Fake Exchanges and Pump-and-Dump

What to expect
Cryptocurrency remains a major focus for fraudsters. In 2025, scams will increasingly involve decentralised finance (DeFi) platforms, token launches and initial DEX offerings (IDOs). Rug pulls, where developers drain liquidity and disappear, are common. Fake exchanges and cloned websites that mimic legitimate trading platforms are also used to steal login credentials and funds.

How scammers operate

• Aggressive promotion on Telegram, WhatsApp and social media with promises of quick profits.

• Fake audits, paid influencer endorsements and fabricated news coverage.

• Sophisticated apps and websites that look identical to real exchanges.

• Social engineering that pressures investors to stake tokens urgently to avoid “missing out”.

Red flags in Singapore

• Promises of guaranteed returns in Singapore dollars.

• Urgent requests to move funds into personal wallets or “private” smart contracts.

• Requests for seed phrases or recovery keys for your wallet.

How to protect yourself

• Trade only through regulated exchanges approved by the Monetary Authority of Singapore (MAS).

• Keep private keys offline and never share them.

• Treat social media “investment groups” with caution and verify information independently.

2. Carbon Credit and Green Investment Scams

What to expect
With Singapore driving sustainable finance, fraudsters are exploiting interest in carbon credits, voluntary carbon markets and “green” projects. In 2025, scammers will push bogus carbon credits, fake renewable projects and offset packages that do not exist.

How scammers operate

• Selling non-existent or double-counted credits to companies and wealthy individuals.

• Forging project documents and third-party verification certificates.

• Using complex offshore structures to hide fraudulent activities.

• Promising huge price appreciation if you buy quickly.

Red flags in Singapore

• Offers from firms not registered with MAS or lacking proper licences.

• Claims of “Singapore-registered credits” without proof on global registries like Verra or Gold Standard.

• High-pressure sales tactics that discourage due diligence.

How to protect yourself

• Verify carbon projects on trusted registries and ask for serial numbers.

• Work with independent consultants or legal advisers before committing funds.

• Check ACRA for business registrations and MAS for licensing.

3. Fake Wealth Managers and Adviser Impersonation

What to expect
In 2025, impersonation scams will use AI and deepfake technology to create convincing advisers. Fraudsters clone legitimate firms’ websites, fabricate MAS licences and pose as private bankers.

How scammers operate

• Contacting investors through LinkedIn or WhatsApp, posing as senior asset managers.

• Sharing falsified brochures and “proof” of MAS registration.

• Offering exclusive structured products or off-market deals with guaranteed yields.

Red flags in Singapore

• Requests to transfer funds to personal accounts or offshore entities.

• Pressure to bypass official bank channels.

• Demands for upfront fees or SingPass credentials.

How to protect yourself

• Verify advisers on the MAS Financial Institutions Directory and Financial Advisers’ Register.

• Contact banks through official hotlines, not numbers from messages.

• Never share SingPass credentials, bank OTPs or SecureSign codes.

4. AI-Enhanced Social Engineering and Deepfake Scams

What to expect
Artificial intelligence will supercharge scams. In 2025, more Singaporeans will face voice cloning, synthetic video calls and hyper-personalised phishing that impersonate bosses, relatives or trusted bankers.

How scammers operate

• Fake calls that sound exactly like a CEO or family member asking for urgent money transfers.

• AI-generated video calls designed to look like real-time conversations.

• Emails or WhatsApp messages tailored with personal data scraped online.

Red flags in Singapore

• Urgent requests for transfers during bank working hours.

• Pressure to pay via cryptocurrency or overseas accounts.

• Small inconsistencies in speech or behaviour during video calls.

How to protect yourself

• Use multi-factor authentication for high-value accounts.

• Set internal codewords or verification steps for financial approvals.

• Train staff and family to recognise deepfake red flags.

• Report immediately to your bank and the Singapore Police Force.

5. Fraud in Tokenised Assets, NFTs and Fractional Ownership

What to expect
Tokenisation of property, art and collectibles is on the rise. Scammers market fractional ownership of assets that are either not real or impossible to trade.

How scammers operate

• Creating fake marketplaces that show inflated valuations.

• Selling shares in assets that are disputed or not held in escrow.

• Offering guaranteed buy-backs that cannot be honoured.

Red flags in Singapore

• Platforms promising easy liquidity or instant exits.

• Lack of on-chain provenance or transparent custody.

• Offshore contracts that avoid Singapore legal jurisdiction.

How to protect yourself

• Check legal ownership and custodial arrangements.

• Use regulated trust companies for escrow.

• Get independent legal advice before committing funds.

6. “Education” and Ponzi-Style Affinity Schemes

What to expect
Fraudsters in Singapore often disguise Ponzi schemes as investment training or membership clubs. In 2025, these scams will thrive on community trust and recruitment models.

How scammers operate

• Offering free or cheap courses that lead to “premium” memberships.

• Encouraging investors to recruit family and friends with referral bonuses.

• Using complex fees to obscure cash flow.

Red flags in Singapore

• Promises of fixed monthly returns regardless of market conditions.

• Heavy focus on recruitment over actual investment transparency.

• Referral bonuses linked to how much new members invest.

How to protect yourself

• Avoid schemes that emphasise recruitment.

• Check for MAS licensing and audited financials.

• Request independent audits and third-party custody arrangements.

What to Do if You Suspect a Scam

1. Stop transfers immediately and disengage.

2. Save evidence including messages, receipts and contact details.

3. Report to the Singapore Police Force or a Neighbourhood Police Centre.

4. Notify MAS if a financial firm is implicated.

5. Call your bank to freeze or recall transactions.

6. Report scams to ScamShield and Scam.SG.

7. If crypto is involved, recovery is difficult. Report to police and consider professional help cautiously.

How Regulators and Banks Are Responding

• MAS is strengthening safeguards around tokenised assets, carbon credits and cross-border transactions.

• Banks are upgrading fraud monitoring and consumer education.

• Industry groups are blacklisting suspicious platforms and sharing intelligence.

Key Takeaways for Singapore Investors in 2025

• Be extra cautious with new asset classes such as crypto, carbon credits and tokenised property.

• Always verify licences with MAS and registrations with ACRA before investing.

• Avoid offers that guarantee returns or require offshore transfers.

• Protect personal credentials like SingPass and OTPs.

• Report scams quickly to increase your chances of recovery.

Conclusion

As Singapore continues to embrace financial innovation, investment scams are evolving just as quickly. In 2025, fraudsters will exploit crypto hype, green finance, deepfake technology and tokenisation to mislead unsuspecting investors.

The good news is that awareness and vigilance go a long way. By checking licences, verifying offers through official channels and adopting simple safety habits, you can reduce your risk. If you ever suspect a scam, act fast: preserve evidence, contact your bank, and report to the authorities.

Singapore has strong regulators and enforcement agencies, but prevention remains the most powerful tool. Stay cautious, stay informed and always verify before you invest.