Latest Scam Trends Entering Q4: What to Expect During the Holiday Season in Singapore

 

As Singapore heads into the last quarter of the year, scammers ramp up activity to take advantage of the increased spending, travel, and charitable giving. In quarter 4, from October through December, brings year-end bonuses, festive shopping, school holidays and travel plans, making it prime time for fraudsters. For Singapore residents, being aware of the scams likely to spike during this period can help you stay one step ahead and protect your finances, devices and personal data.

This guide explains the key scam trends to expect this Q4, how fraudsters operate, real-world examples relevant to Singapore, and practical steps to prevent and respond to scams. We also cover what to do if you or a loved one falls victim, and links to local resources for reporting and recovery from scams.

Scam Trends in Q4 - Why the Year-End is a High-Risk Period

• Increased online activity: More online shopping, digital payments and social media browsing create more opportunities for phishing, fake e-commerce stores and payment fraud.
• Travel and events: Flight and hotel bookings, event registrations and ride-hailing usage rise significantly, creating opportunities for travel scams, fake bookings and malicious apps to thrive.
• Emotional triggers: Year-end charity drives, reunions and festive goodwill make people more susceptible to romance, charity and impersonation scams.
• Incentives and urgency: Limited-time deals, Black Friday and 11.11 sales leverage urgency to lower consumers’ guard, encouraging impulse clicks and sharing of payment details.
• Bonuses and payouts: CPF top-ups, work bonuses and reimbursements mean large transactions and discussions about money that are monitored closely by scammers.

Top Scam Trends to Watch in Q4 in Singapore

1. E-commerce and Marketplace Scams

How scams operate:

• Fake online stores: Scammers set up convincing websites or social media shops offering heavily discounted gadgets, fashion and travel packages. After payment, victims never receive goods or receive counterfeit items.
• Phishing via sales promotions: SMS or email links claim to lead to limited-time deals but instead harvest login or card details.
• Marketplace fraud: On platforms like Carousell, buyers may be pressured to pay via bank transfer or “overpayment” scams where a fake buyer sends a forged payment screenshot.

Examples of scam and risk factors:

• Popular local platforms and social media channels are used to advertise scams.
• Scammers often use SG bank accounts and SingPass-styled login pages to trick users.

Prevention tips:

• Buy from reputable, verified sellers and check merchant ratings.
• Verify URLs and avoid clicking on links from unsolicited SMS/WhatsApp messages.
• Use secure payment methods (credit card with chargeback, PayNow via QR accepted by the seller).
• Inspect product reviews and do image reverse searches to detect copied listings.

2. Holiday Travel and Accommodation Scams

How scams operate:

• Fake travel agents and accommodation listings: Fraudsters create listings on classified or booking sites with attractive prices. They request upfront bank transfers or e-wallet payments.
• Phony airline or travel notifications: SMS or emails warn of “booking issues” and prompt victims to click malicious links or provide payment to “confirm” travel.
• Ride-hailing scams: Fraudsters share phishing links for promo codes or impersonate drivers asking for cash or transfers.

Examples of scam and risk factors:

• Popular airports (Changi) and holiday travel spikes attract imposters offering last-minute deals or fake refunds.
• Scammers may impersonate established travel agencies or use cloned websites.

Prevention tips:

• Book directly with known airlines or through reputable travel portals.
• Confirm booking references on official airline/hotel websites.
• Avoid direct bank transfers for unknown hosts; use platforms that offer buyer protection.
• Check driver details and use in-app features for ride-hailing payments.

3. Charity and Donation Scams

How scams operate:

• Emotional appeals: Scammers exploit festive generosity, setting up fake charities or impersonating legitimate NGOs to solicit donations through SMS, social platforms or email.
• Payment redirects: Links lead to fake donation pages or request transfers to private accounts.

Examples of scam and risk factors:

• During festive seasons and disaster responses, Singaporeans often give to charitable causes, this is where scammers exploit public goodwill.
• The use of messaging apps (WhatsApp, Telegram) spreads appeals quickly.

Prevention tips:

• Donate only to registered charities listed with the Commissioner of Charities or known organisations.
• Verify donation pages (HTTPS, correct domain) and avoid transferring money to private bank accounts.
• When in doubt, contact the charity directly via official channels.

4. Impersonation and Government-Lookalike Scams

How scams operate:

• Scammers impersonate Singapore government agencies (IRAS, CPF Board, MOM, ICA) sending urgent notices about taxes, fines, CPF account issues or work pass problems.
• They use fake emails, SMS (smishing), or voice calls (vishing) to obtain SingPass credentials, bank details or One-Time Passwords (OTPs).

Examples of scam and risk factors:

• Scammers craft letters or messages using official-sounding language and logos to con residents into transferring funds or logging into cloned SingPass portals.
• SingPass-related phishing is an ongoing threat because account access unlocks sensitive personal and financial information.

Prevention tips:

• Government agencies in Singapore never request immediate payment via bank transfer or ask for SingPass/2FA codes over phone/email.
• Always access government services by typing official URLs (eg, singpass.gov.sg, gov.sg) or using the SingPass app (downloaded from official app stores).
• Enable SingPass 2FA and avoid sharing OTPs or SMS codes with anyone.

5. Courier and Delivery Scams

How scams operate:

• Fake delivery alerts: SMS/WhatsApp messages claim a parcel is held due to customs fees or incorrect address and contain links to submit payment or personal data.
• Impersonation of courier companies: Scammers spoof well-known courier names and phone numbers to request payment or account login.

Examples of scam and risk factors:

• With heavy parcel volumes during the holiday season, many residents receive delivery notifications, making it easy for scammers to camouflage malicious messages among legitimate ones.

Prevention tips:

• Confirm tracking numbers on courier company websites or official apps.
• Do not click unknown links in delivery notifications; verify sender identity via official customer service lines.
• Be wary of messages requesting payment for customs or “release fees”. Singapore’s postal and courier practices never demand on-the-spot bank transfers.

6. Investment and Crypto Holiday Scams

How scams operate:

• Fake investment platforms and high-yield promises: Scammers advertise “sure-win” holiday investment opportunities, often in cryptocurrencies or forex, promising extraordinary returns to prey on year-end bonus funds.
• Celebrity endorsements and fake testimonials lend credibility, while pressure tactics urge quick deposits.

Examples of scam and risk factors:

• Cryptocurrencies and gold/silver pushes increase in Q4 as people explore alternative ways to grow bonuses or savings.
• Fraudsters may claim to operate from Singapore to gain trust.

Prevention tips:

• Treat any guaranteed high returns as suspicious.
• Check if the firm is licensed by the Monetary Authority of Singapore (MAS) using MAS’s public registers.
• Avoid transferring funds to personal bank accounts—use regulated brokers or exchanges.

7. Romance and Holiday Companionship Scams

How scams operate:

• Scammers cultivate online relationships over time, then exploit holiday loneliness by asking for money, gifts, or help booking travel and accommodation.
• They may pose as expatriates, foreigners visiting Singapore, or local singles

Examples of scam and risk factors:

• Seasonal loneliness and the desire for companionship during festivities increase vulnerability, including among older adults and busy professionals.

Prevention tips:

• Be cautious about sharing financial information or sending money to people you met online.
• Verify identities through video calls and reverse image searches.
• Discuss suspicious contacts with friends or family before taking action.

How Scammers Work: Techniques to Recognise

1. Social engineering: Manipulating emotions such as fear, urgency, excitement, to override rational checks.
2. Spoofing: Forged sender IDs in SMS/email, fake caller ID numbers, or cloned websites.
3. Malware and malicious apps: Links or attachments that install spyware or steal credentials.
4. Payment laundering: Requests to transfer money to private accounts, foreign wallets or via gift cards.
5. Fake documents: Invoices, screenshots, and “proof” of payment intentionally fabricated.

What to Do If You Suspect or Become a Victim of Scam

Immediate steps:

- Stop any ongoing transaction and do not respond to the scammer.

- Document everything: screenshots, messages, email headers, bank transaction details and the phone numbers or accounts used. 

- Contact your bank immediately to freeze or recall payments where possible. Provide evidence and ask about chargebacks or recall options.

- Change affected passwords and enable two-factor authentication on compromised accounts (SingPass, email, banking).

- Report the incident through these trusted channels:

• Singapore Police Force (SPF): file a police report via the Electronic Police Centre (e-services.police.gov.sg) or visit a Neighbourhood Police Centre.
• ScamShield app and Scam Alert channels: dial 1799 to report and use ScamShield to block scam calls and SMS.
• Monetary Authority of Singapore (MAS): report suspicious financial firms or scams involving investments.
• Scam.SG: Share your scam encounter to protect others and build a resilient community.

- If personal data like NRIC or SingPass credentials were compromised, contact the SingPass Helpdesk immediately or reset your password, and monitor your credit with Credit Bureau Singapore.

Reporting helps authorities detect patterns, shut down operations and warn the public. Even if recovery is unlikely, your report could prevent others from being victimised.

Practical Q4 Scam Trends Safety Checklist for Singapore Residents

- Verify before you click: Double-check SMS and email links. Hover over URLs on the desktop to see real addresses.

- Use official apps: For SingPass, banks and government services, use apps from Google Play or Apple App Store only.

- Pay safely: Prefer card payments, PayNow or platforms with buyer protection for online purchases.

- Be skeptical of urgent asks: Whether it’s a “limited-time” deal, a “final notice” from an agency, or a plea for charity—pause and verify.

- Secure devices: Keep phones and computers updated, install antivirus, and avoid installing APKs from unknown sources.

- Communicate with loved ones: Elderly family members are prime targets. Talk to them about common scams and set up shared safeguards.

- Backup data: Regular backups reduce damage from ransomware and data loss from malicious attacks.

- Use two-factor authentication: Wherever available—especially for SingPass, bank accounts, email and social media.

 

Final Thoughts: Stay Vigilant, Not Paranoid

The holiday season should be about celebration, generosity, and reconnecting with loved ones, but rising scam trends mean we must stay vigilant. Scammers work hardest when people are most distracted, but the good news is that a few simple habits go a long way. By verifying sellers, treating unsolicited messages with caution, safeguarding your personal details, and reporting suspicious activity quickly, Singapore residents can protect themselves and their community and stay one step ahead of evolving scam trends.

Scam trends will continue to evolve, but the core principle remains the same: if something feels off or too good to be true, urgent without verification, or emotionally manipulative—pause and check. Share this information with family and friends, especially the elderly, and help keep our community scam-smart this upcoming Q4 and beyond.

Stay smart, stay safe, and stay vigilant with Scam.SG.