Social Media Fraud: Its Prevalence Today and How to Be Safe Online

The Growing Shadow Over Social Media

In Singapore, social media has become an integral part of everyday life, transforming the way we connect, shop, and share.

Platforms like Facebook, Instagram, WhatsApp, TikTok, Carousell, Facebook Marketplace and LinkedIn have become virtual town squares, marketplaces, and news hubs.

Yet, behind this convenience lies a darker reality: the surge of social media frauds, which are deceptive activities such as impersonation, phishing, or fake offers conducted through social platforms, preying on human vulnerability to steal money, data, or manipulate users. The fallout? Financial losses, stolen identities, and shattered trust.

According to Channel News Asia (CNA), in 2024 alone, there were 51,501 scam cases, resulting in losses of at least S$1.1 billion, underscoring the urgent need for heightened internet safety, digital security, and awareness of social media dangers.
 

By the Numbers: The Impact of Social Media Scams

Key insights from the Singapore Police Force in their Annual Scams and Cybercrime Brief 2024:

Platform Breakdown:

Scammers most commonly reached victims via messaging platforms (15,145 cases), with WhatsApp (49.3 per cent) and Telegram (42.3 per cent) predominating. For social media, Facebook accounted for 59.8 per cent of cases, Instagram 18.0 per cent and TikTok 13.2 per cent

Top Scam Types by Volume:

• E-commerce scams (11,665 cases; 22.7%)
• Job scams (9,043 cases; 17.6%)
• Phishing scams (8,552 cases; 16.6%)
• Investment scams (6,814 cases; 13.2%)
• Fake friend call scams (4,179 cases; 8.1%)

Financial Impact:

Investment scams accounted for S$320.7 million (28.8 per cent of total losses), job scams S$156.2 million (14.0 per cent), and government-official impersonation scams S$151.3 million (13.6 per cent)

Self-Effected Transfers:

Over 82 per cent of cases involved victims 'self-effecting' transfers under false pretences, underscoring how social engineering, rather than technical hacking, drives most losses.

In their Police Advisory on Phishing Scams Involving Fraudulent Social Media Advertisements of March 2024, the Police shared that: 

• victims would encounter advertisements or posts featuring various heavily discounted goods on social media platforms such as Instagram, Facebook and TikTok;
• Since January 2024, at least 104 victims have fallen prey to such scams, with losses amounting to at least $63,000.

According to The Straits Times, in April 2025, there were more than 3,500 scam cases reported in April, with over 100 reports of a phishing scam variant involving offers of unlimited travel on public transport. Victims, who lost $106,000, were enticed by fake advertisements on Facebook, Instagram and TikTok promising unlimited travel using ez-link or NETS FlashPay cards.

These figures highlight how social engineering attacks on WhatsApp scams, Telegram scams, and Facebook scams are evolving in both frequency and complexity.

Understanding these threats isn’t just for cybersecurity experts, but a necessity for every user.

 

Common Scams: The Tricks Behind the Screens

Note: Major Singapore banks now offer 'cooling periods' to prevent transfer of large sums of money when under pressure.

Phishing and Fake Profiles

The classic bait-and-switch remains a staple. Fraudsters craft fake profiles, sometimes mimicking banks, government agencies, or even your friends, sending links that look legitimate but lead to counterfeit websites designed to steal login details or personal data. The message might claim urgent action is needed, like “Verify your account now,” preying on fear and urgency.

Note: Educate older relatives about fake friend call scams

Impersonation and Emergency Requests

Ever received a message from a friend or family member asking for money due to an emergency? Sometimes, it’s not them. Scammers clone profiles or hack accounts, then send urgent pleas for cash. The pressure to act quickly often overrides caution, leading to costly mistakes.

Example: The Straits Times, May 2025, shared that in these scams, victims receive unsolicited calls from people claiming to be from government agencies such as the Singapore Police Force or the Immigration and Checkpoints Authority. 

Romance Scams (Catfishing)

Emotions are powerful tools. Scammers build fake romantic relationships, sometimes over months, before fabricating crises such as medical bills, travel emergencies, or legal troubles to extract money, leaving victims emotionally and financially devastated.

Investment Scams and Cryptocurrency Frauds

Promises of quick riches lure many into fake investment schemes, often involving cryptocurrencies. Victims are enticed by guarantees of high returns, only to find the platform or contact disappears once money is transferred.

Job Scams and Employment Scams

Fake job offers asking for upfront fees or requiring suspicious/malicious software downloads are on the rise. Scammers exploit job seekers’ hopes, often targeting platforms like LinkedIn or Facebook.

Fake offers/Giveaways and Contests

Who doesn’t love free stuff? Scammers exploit this by impersonating brands or influencers, claiming you’ve won a prize, provided you share your personal or financial information first.

E-commerce Frauds

Fake online stores or marketplace listings for popular items at unbelievable prices trick buyers into paying upfront for goods that never arrive.

Platforms like Carousell and Facebook Marketplace are particularly vulnerable, with scammers posting fake listings for high-demand items (e.g., concert tickets, electronics).

Victims often pay via unsecured methods (bank transfers, gift cards) only to receive counterfeit goods or nothing at all.

Example: The Straits Times of November 2024 reported that 54 Taylor Swift fans lost at least $45k in a concert ticket scam in less than a week.

Note: Carousell scams often use stock images.
 

Spotting the Signs: How to Recognise a Scam

Awareness is your first defence. Here are some common warning signs:

• Unexpected Contact: Messages from strangers or duplicate friend requests.
• Offers Too Good to Be True: Unrealistic deals, prizes, or returns.
• Urgency and Pressure: “Act now” or “Limited time only” tactics.
• Requests for Money (especially via gift cards, cryptocurrency, or wire transfers) or Sensitive information.
• Poor Language: Spelling mistakes, awkward phrasing, or inconsistent tone.
• Suspicious Links: Shortened URLs or unfamiliar domains.
• Off-Platform Requests: Attempts to move conversations to less secure channels.
• New or Sparse Profiles: Accounts with minimal posts or generic photos.

The Deepfake Dilemma: A New Frontier in Fraud And Why It Matters

One of the most alarming developments in recent years is the rise of deepfake technology, as these AI-powered tools create hyper-realistic but fake audio, video, or images that can mimic anyone’s appearance or voice.

Deepfakes blur the line between reality and fiction, making it more difficult to trust what we see and hear online. Fraudsters use them to impersonate executives in video calls, clone voices for phone scams, or create fake news that can manipulate public opinion.

The Straits Times of April 2025 reported that a Finance director nearly lost $670k to scammers using deepfakes to pose as senior executives.

Recognising Deepfake Red Flags

Detecting deepfakes requires a keen eye:

• Unnatural Facial Movements: Odd blinking, mismatched expressions, or lip-sync errors.
• Inconsistent Lighting and Shadows: Reflections that don’t align or shadows that seem off.
• Audio-Visual Mismatches: Voices that don’t quite match lip movements or sound slightly artificial.
• Blurred or Pixelated Areas: Especially around the mouth or edges of the face.
• Odd Hand Gestures: Extra fingers or unnatural hand positions.
• Suspicious AI-Generated Profiles

Profiles created or enhanced by AI often show some of these tell-tale signs:

• Images that look too perfect or have subtle distortions.
• Profiles with inconsistent or incomplete information.
• Accounts with few followers but following many.
• Repetitive or generic comments and posts.
• Odd language use or posting at unusual hours

AI in Phishing and Social Engineering

AI can generate highly personalised messages that mimic writing styles but may lack natural conversational flow. Scammers use this to craft urgent requests or manipulate victims into moving conversations off-platform.

Why Understanding Deepfake Evolution Is Vital

Deepfake technology is advancing rapidly, becoming more accessible and convincing. This evolution allows fraudsters to:

• Bypass biometric security, like facial or voice recognition
• Conduct real-time video call impersonations.
• Create synthetic documents for identity theft.
• Launch large-scale, automated social engineering attacks.
• Spread misinformation that can disrupt societies. 

Recognising these risks early will help individuals and organisations to adapt defences, invest in detection tools, and foster a culture of scepticism and verification.

Emerging Attack Methods Fueled by Deepfake Advances

The future of fraud is likely to include:

• Live Video Impersonation: Real-time deepfake avatars issuing fraudulent instructions.
• Voice Cloning Vishing: Phone scams using cloned voices of trusted contacts.
• Automated Personalised Scams: AI crafting tailored messages or calls en masse.
• Biometric System Exploits: Using synthetic images or voices to fool authentication.
• Synthetic Identity Fraud: Fake IDs and documents with realistic biometric data.
• Behavioural Mimicry: Replicating mannerisms and speech patterns for deeper deception.
• Misinformation Campaigns: Fake videos or audio to influence politics or markets.
• Hybrid Attacks: Combining deepfakes with ransomware or insider threats for complex fraud.

Note: Educate older relatives about fake friend call scams

Tools and Techniques to Combat Deepfake Fraud

Several technologies have emerged to detect and mitigate deepfake risks:

• Machine Learning Detectors: Analyse inconsistencies in videos and images.
• Digital Watermarking: Embeds verifiable signatures in authentic media.
• Behavioural Analytics: Monitors unusual account activity or communication patterns.
• Multifactor Authentication: Adds layers beyond biometrics.
• Cross-Verification: Confirming identities through separate trusted channels.
• Practical Steps to Protect Yourself Online

Staying safe requires proactive habits:

• Use strong, unique passwords and a password manager.
• Enable two-factor or multi-factor authentication for all your accounts.
• Regularly review and tighten privacy settings, especially on social media.
• Check the businesses' TrustScore on Scam.SG before transacting
• Call the ScamShield helpline (1799) to check if you suspect it is a scam.
• Think twice before clicking links or downloading files.
• Verify unexpected requests for money or info through separate and direct contacts.
• Be cautious when accepting friend requests from unknown people.
• Keep software and devices updated.
• Educate older relatives about fake friend call scams
• Report suspicious activity promptly to platforms and authorities.
• If you have received an email that you think might be a “phishing”, send it to the Cyber Security Agency of Singapore (CSA) to help them act quickly and prevent other people from being affected. (Source: CSA)

If You’ve Been Targeted: Immediate Actions

Should you fall victim to a scam, 

• Change all passwords immediately and enable MFA.
• Contact your bank to halt unauthorised transactions.
• Report within 24 hours to maximise recovery chances
• Make a Police Report online, or through the I-Witness e-Service, or
  Police Hotline at 1800-255-0000, Scamshield and Scam.SG.
• Collect evidence: screenshots, messages, transaction records.
• Seek support from victim assistance organisations, such as TOUCH Community Service, TOUCHline at 1800 377 2252 (Mondays to Fridays, 9 am to 6 pm) 

Conclusion: Vigilance Is Your Best Defence

Social media fraud isn’t just about stolen cash — it’s about broken trust, and possibly shattered lives. But with scepticism as our shield and knowledge as our weapon, we can navigate this minefield. The digital world offers incredible opportunities. But it demands caution. Stay alert, question what you see and hear, and always verify before trusting. Share this knowledge with loved ones, friends and colleagues to build a safer community for all of us.

Remember: Recognising the signs, understanding the evolving methods, and adopting smart defences can mean the difference between safety and victimhood.

Bookmark this article, and forward it to someone who uses social media daily — it could save them from being scammed!