Top 5 Scams in Singapore: How to Spot And Avoid Them

Have you ever received a call claiming to be a police officer? Have you ever received an SMS claiming to be from a government agency? You are not alone. In Singapore, millions of citizens have fallen prey to increasingly sophisticated and far more elusive scams. As scam tactics evolve, Singaporeans must understand the most prevalent fraud threats. To help you stay safe from scams in Singapore, we have compiled a guide on the top 5 most prevalent scams in Singapore. Understanding these scams will be the first line of defence. Discover prevention tips as well as how you can spot and avoid them. 

 

According to a Singapore Police Force (SPF) report, at least S$1.1 billion was lost to scams in 2024. This was a staggering 70.6% increase compared to 2023. In March of 2025 alone, Scamshield, Singapore’s dedicated anti-scam initiative, reported more than S$71.9 million lost. The financial impact of scams is significant, costing victims their hard-earned money or life savings. The emotional impact would be equally devastating as well, affecting those who have experienced losses to scams. 

 

To protect yourself against the rising tide of scams, discover the top 5 scams that affect Singapore today to keep yourself safe: phishing scams, investment scams, e-commerce scams, impersonation scams and job scams. Discover prevention measures as well as tips on how to spot and avoid them. Stay safe, stay protected and stay vigilant with Scam.SG!

 

1. Phishing Scams 

 

 

Phishing scams in Singapore are fraudulent schemes that aim to obtain sensitive information from victims, such as passwords and bank account details, often by impersonating trusted Singaporean organisations such as government bodies or bank officials. 

 

Phishing scams are one of the most common types of fraud in Singapore. In 2024, more than S$59.4 million was lost to phishing scams in Singapore. There were 8,552 cases as well, according to the SPF. 

 

Example - OneMotoring/LTA Phishing Scam 

 

In this phishing scam, victims will receive messages from scammers pretending to be from OneMotoring/Land Transport Authority (LTA). They claim that the victim has unpaid bills, such as road tax bills. Those text messages will usually have an embedded link to an external spoofed payment website that resembles the LTA website.

 

The website will prompt victims to enter their sensitive personal details, such as their NRIC and their internet banking details. Victims will realise that they have been scammed when they notice unauthorised transactions coming from their bank accounts. 

 

Read more for a more in-depth look at this phishing scam with Scam.SG!

 

How to Protect Yourself From Phishing Scams in Singapore 

 

1. Be Sceptical 

 

Singaporeans should approach unsolicited calls or texts, or emails with caution, especially if they claim to be from governmental bodies or banks. Legitimate organisations will not ask for sensitive information such as one-time passwords (OTP) via email or SMS unless you are performing the transactions yourself. Never easily trust text messages, even if they appear to be from a legitimate organisation. Those messages can be spoofed. 

 

2. Verify Communications 

 

Always verify communications directly. Do not trust links, attachments or phone numbers provided in suspicious messages. Instead, contact the organisations directly using official contact information found on their website.

• Gov.SG websites (e.g. www.iras.gov.sg for tax matters)

• Official banking hotlines (e.g. DBS, UOB, OCBC)

• SingPost or other courier websites (e.g. Shopee, Lazada)

 

3. Use Security Software 

 

Install and regularly update reliable antivirus software. Download the Scamshield app to block scam calls and filter scam SMSs. Before entering a website, ensure that the website starts with ‘https’ instead of ‘http’. This ensures that it is a secure website. 

 

4. Educate Yourself 

 

Stay updated on the new phishing scam trends in Singapore. Explore Scamshield and how you can use it to protect yourself. Refer to the government’s list of trusted sites when logging in to government websites. Read related articles at Scam.SG to understand different scam types in Singapore, as well as what to do if you give your personal information to a phishing scam. 

2. Investment Scams 

 

 

Investment scams in Singapore are fraudulent schemes that lure victims through promises of high returns and quick wealth. The money then becomes unwithdrawable, or the scammers become uncontactable. 

According to the 2024 Annual Scams and Cybercrime Brief, there were 6,814 investment scams in Singapore in 2024. Losses to these scams amounted to a whopping S$320.7 million, nearly half of the total losses to scams for the year. Recently, in March 2025, Scamshield reported that there were 525 reports and more than S$24.5 million lost to investment scams in Singapore. These are alarming numbers that highlight the threat of investment fraud as they tempt victims with quick wealth. 

 

Example: New Variant of Investment Scam in Singapore 

 

In this scam variant, victims will come across advertisements on social media platforms such as Facebook, promoting investments. These investments will misrepresent notable figures, such as Prime Minister Lawrence Wong, endorsing these “investment opportunities”. 

 

Victims who click on the embedded links will be directed to phishing websites to enter their contact information. The scammers will then direct victims to fraudulent trading platforms where they are prompted to enter sensitive personal details to register for an account. Victims will then be asked to transfer money to the scammers for their “investments”. In some cases, some victims will be requested to transfer increasingly large sums of money for “fees incurred”. 

 

However, the victims will realise that they have been scammed when they are unable to withdraw their “profits” or the scammers become uncontactable.

Understand more about how this variant of investment scam works with Scam.SG!

 

How to Protect Yourself From Investment Scams in Singapore 

 

1. Verify Investment Opportunities 

 

Before investing in Singapore, make sure to verify the investment opportunity by checking the company credentials and understanding the risks involved. Check for company trustworthiness with Scam.SG’s TrustScore or with the Monetary Authority of Singapore (MAS) through their MAS Financial Institutions Directory, MAS Investor Alert List, and MAS Register of Representatives. Ensure that the investment is safe before putting any money in.

2. Beware of Pressure Tactics 

 

Scammers will urge you to make a quick decision on an investment. They will exploit the fear of missing out (FOMO) to push individuals to invest quickly without due diligence. This is especially common for “investment opportunities” in trending sectors such as cryptocurrency and fintech. Avoid acting under pressure. Take your time to consider before making a decision. 

 

3. Avoid Unrealistic Returns 

 

Avoid investments with unrealistic returns, such as those with high returns and low risks. More often than not, these schemes, often in the field of crypto, lead to losses of investments. These are also common red flags of Ponzi schemes and pyramid schemes in Singapore. If the opportunity seems too good to be true, it likely is a scam. Always do your due diligence on potential risks before committing to any form of investment. 

 

4. Stay Updated 

 

Keep up to date with investment scam tactics in Singapore. Such financial schemes can come in multiple forms. Discover the top 10 investment scams in Singapore and how to avoid them with Scam.SG. Download Scamshield as well to block and filter scam calls and messages. 

3. E-Commerce Scams 

 

 

E-commerce scams in Singapore are fraudulent schemes that aim to deceive victims during the online shopping process. Online shopping scammers trick customers into buying products or services that either do not exist or are not as they were advertised. Online shopping fraud like this can also be set-ups for a larger scam, making victims reveal sensitive personal information during the shopping process. 

 

According to the SPF, there were 11,665 cases of e-commerce scams in total in 2024. The total amount lost to e-commerce fraud was at least S$17.5 million. Although online shopping has brought us convenience, there are significant threats to look out for when buying online. 

 

Example: S$40,000 lost to Malware in an E-commerce Scam 

 

In this case, a 62-year-old man came across an advertisement on Facebook for a shop selling fresh seafood. He contacted the seller directly, and the seller sent him a link for what the man thought was an online order form. However, this link was laden with malware and infected the man’s handphone. 

 

While the victim was asleep, the scammers were able to access the man’s CPF account and bank account with the malware and transfer money out of his account. This led to losses of over S$40,000 in CPF savings. 

 

Read more on this heartbreaking e-commerce scam story. 

 

How to Protect Yourself From E-commerce Scams in Singapore 

 

1. Research the Seller 

 

Before buying anything online, verify the seller. Check customer reviews and seller ratings to verify the seller’s trustworthiness. Search online to check if there are any negative news or reviews about the seller. To ensure that you are shopping safely, look at the E-commerce Marketplace Transaction Safety Ratings (EMTSR) to assess platform reliability and safety. If dealing with companies, review the company's trustworthiness with Scam.SG’s TrustScore before dealing with them. 

 

2. Use Secure Payment Methods 

 

Opt for credit cards or trusted payment gateways with fraud protection, such as PayNow and PayLah. Do not deal with sellers who insist on non-traceable payments without proper verification. Double-check links before clicking them and ensure that the website is secure with “https” instead of “http” in the link. 

 

3. Keep Software Updated 

 

Ensure that you regularly update your device’s operating system. Download antivirus software and keep it up to date to protect yourself against cyber threats. Download the Scamshield app to block scam calls and filter scam SMS. Enable multi-factor authentication for your online accounts, such as your internet banking account, when shopping online.

 

4. Trust Your Instincts 

 

If a deal seems too good to be true, it is a scam. Check with other e-commerce sellers or platforms to compare prices. Look through the product’s description to check for authenticity. Be cautious of fake screenshots, counterfeit products and unrealistic promotions that scammers use to lure victims. 

4. Job Scams 

 

 

Job scams in Singapore are fraudulent schemes where scammers impersonate legitimate employers or recruiters to deceive job seekers into transferring money or divulging sensitive information. These typically involve victims being offered minimal effort, work-from-home jobs that are too good to be true. Some victims might unknowingly become accomplices in money laundering scams. 

 

According to the 2024 Annual Scams and Cybercrime Brief, job scams in Singapore cost Singaporeans more than S$156.2 million, with just over 9,000 cases for the year. 

Example: Task Scam Victim in Singapore 

 

Mothership interviewed a job scam victim in Singapore. The victim was serving his National Service then. 

 

The task scam started with an unsolicited Telegram message. Thinking “It won’t happen to me”, the victim decided to give the “online job” a try. The victim was added to a group chat filled with people celebrating “profits”. The victim even made a Google search on the company and was convinced of its legitimacy. 

 

The job? Top up an account to buy movie tickets for a large commission. An initial payout hooked him. But he had to continue depositing money as the amount needed to purchase movie tickets increased with every round. This led to him even borrowing money from friends to keep up. 

 

However, a few days later, the WhatsApp group was deleted, and the victim could not find the website where he deposited the money. In the end, the victim lost S$7,000 and was stuck repaying his friends in instalments for the next few years.  

 

Read more about this task scam story in Singapore. 

 

There are different types of job scams in Singapore. They include: task scams, fake survey scams and affiliate marketing scams. Learn about other victims’ real-life job scam stories and learn from their experiences to stay safe. 

 

How to Protect Yourself From Job Scams in Singapore 

 

1. Verify the Employer 

 

Before applying for a job, researching the employer is important. Visit the recruiting firm’s official site and look for official contact information. Look out for online reviews of the firm. Check the firm’s trustworthiness with Scam.SG’s TrustScore. If something seems fishy or too good to be true, follow your instincts and take things slow. 

 

2. Avoid Advance Payments 

 

Scam recruitment agencies and agents will typically ask victims to pay in advance for employment applications, background checks or training. If you are asked to pay in advance, it is an obvious sign of a scam. Always verify the job opportunity before paying any fees. 

 

3. Protect Your Identity 

 

Never share sensitive personal information, such as your NRIC, passport, bank details or SingPass login details, to anyone you have never met or verified. Fraudsters usually use job offers as a decoy to seek such information to commit identity theft or criminal acts. Protect your data by ascertaining that the job is legitimate before sharing it. 

 

4. Stay Informed 

 

Use Scam.SG’s TrustScore to check for Singapore company trustworthiness. At Scam.SG, we make use of our proprietary TrustScore to evaluate businesses based on their trustworthiness. Learn more about TrustScore and how it can keep you safe. 

 

Keep up to date on the latest job scam tactics in Singapore by following Scam.SG’s types of scams. Use Scamshield as well to stay informed on the latest job scam trends. 

5. Impersonation Scams 

 

 

Impersonation scams in Singapore are fraudulent schemes in which scammers pretend to be someone you trust to trick you into giving money or personal information. These scammers can impersonate government officers, police officers, bank staff, or even a friend or family member. Impersonation fraud in Singapore is getting more sophisticated too, with the rise of AI voice cloning, spoofed phone numbers, deepfakes and other deceptive tactics. 

 

According to the Singapore Police Force, the umbrella of impersonation scams in Singapore has cost Singaporeans more than S$191.3 million in 2024. This emphasises the threat of impersonation scams in Singapore. 

 

Example: Company Nearly Loses S$300,000 to Impersonation of Company Supplier 

 

In January 2025, a Singapore-based company almost lost more than $300,000 after falling victim to an impersonation scam impersonating one of the company’s suppliers. 

 

Police investigations found that an employee of the product trading company received an email on January 7 from a fake supplier. The scammer had replaced the “gmail.com” in the real supplier’s email with “asia.com”.

 

The scammer requested that payment for their services be transferred to a new bank account in the United Arab Emirates (UAE). Not noticing the fake email address, the company employee transferred more than S$300,000 to the bank account.

 

The employee discovered the fraud after the real supplier said that they did not change their bank account details, and made a police report on January 15. The police’s Anti-Scam Command worked together with the UAE authorities and Interpol to recover the full sum and returned it to the company.

 

Read more on this impersonation scam story and how the police managed to recover the lost funds.

 

Impersonation scams in Singapore can come in many forms. Discover the different types of impersonation scams in Singapore and how you can avoid them. 

 

How to Protect Yourself From Impersonation Scams in Singapore 

 

1. Verify Identities 

 

Never trust an unsolicited call at face value, especially if the caller claims to be from a government agency, bank, or your family or friend. If unsure, hang up the call and call the organisation back through official contact information. If unsure, hang up the call and confirm with your friend or family member through other communication channels, such as social media. 

 

2. Protect Personal Information 

 

Do not share sensitive personal information such as your NRIC, SingPass or bank account details to anyone on the internet. Remember that legitimate organisations will not ask for these via calls or chats. If required, make sure to check the link as well as the organisation you are providing the information to. 

 

3. Be Cautious of Urgent Requests 

 

Impersonation scammers will often pressure you to act quickly and without verification. Take your time to think and make an informed decision. Remember that legitimate organisations will not pressure you to act quickly on a decision. 

 

4. Stay Updated 

 

Activate two-factor authentication (2FA) or multi-factor authentication for all online accounts, especially your internet banking accounts. Install the Scamshield app to block scam calls and filter scam messages. If you suspect a scam, report it via the Scamshield app. Visit Scam.SG to stay updated on scam tactics as well as scam prevention tips. 

Conclusion 

 

Scams are prevalent in Singapore and they are here to stay. Besides the 5 scams listed, there are various other methods that scammers use to steal your money and information. Discover what they are. Fortunately, there are many preventive measures we can take to keep you and your loved ones safe. The government has also came up with many anti-scam features to assist in the fight against scams. 

 

• Learn how to make use of Scamshield effectively for scam prevention with Scam.SG! 

 

• Learn about the different scam types in Singapore and how to stay safe against those types of fraud with Scam.SG! 

 

• Learn scam prevention tips and tricks to keep yourself and your loved ones safe from Scam.SG! 

In 2024, the total losses to scams exceeded S$1 billion, more than a 70% increase from 2023. This number will only rise as we transition our lives into the digital world and our population ages. However, this does not have to be the case. We must educate ourselves on the threats of scams and discover what we can do to stop them. Report scams as well and educate one another on new scam trends. This way, we can all do our part to limit the loss from scams in Singapore.