Mid-Year Scams and Cybercrime Brief 2025
Summarise this page with:
Key Statistics Overview
Total Scam Cases
19,665
-26% vs 2024
Total Losses
$456.4M
-12.6% vs 2024
Money Recovered
$56.7M
+15% vs 2024
SMS Alerts Sent
19,800+
+30% vs 2024
Stay Vigilant: Despite the decrease in cases, scammers continue to evolve their tactics. Investment and government impersonation scams cause the highest financial damage per victim.
5-Year Scam Cases Trend (2021-2025)
Historical Scam Cases Trend
First half year comparison showing the evolution of scam cases over 5 years
2021 (1H)
7,746
(base year)
2022 (1H)
13,576
(+75.3%)
2023 (1H)
22,853
(+68.3%)
2024 (1H)
26,563
(+16.2%)
2025 (1H)
19,665
(-26%)
Top 10 Scam Types by Cases
Scam Cases Distribution
Number of reported cases for each scam type (Jan-Jun 2025)
Financial Impact Analysis
Total Losses by Scam Type
Financial damage in millions (SGD)
Average Loss per Victim
Most damaging scams per individual case
Gov Official
$71,842Investment
$53,915Internet Love
$27,920Insurance
$27,004Job Scams
$21,861Victim Demographics by Age Group
Scam Victim Profile by Age Group
Age groups and the scam types they are most vulnerable to
| Age Group | Profile | Most Common Scam Types |
|---|---|---|
| Youths (19 years old and below) | Digital natives, active online shoppers | E-commerce Phishing Job Scam |
| Young Adults (20-29 years old) | Job seekers, frequent online transactions | E-commerce Job Scam Phishing |
| Adults (30-49 years old) | Established professionals, online shoppers | E-commerce Phishing Job Scam |
| Young Senior (50-64 years old) | Pre-retirement, seeking investment opportunities | Phishing Investment Gov Officials Impersonation |
| Elderly (65yo and above) | Retirees, less tech-savvy, trusting of authority | Investment Scam Phishing Gov Officials Impersonation |
Key Insights: Most of the scam victims were aged below 50 years old. There is an increase in the proportion of elderly scam victims as compared to 2024. The average amount lost per elderly victim is also the highest among the age groups.
Top 5 Contact Methods Used by Scammers
Contact Method Distribution
How scammers reach their victims (Jan-Jun 2025)
Contact Method Breakdown
Detailed breakdown of scammer contact methods
Social Media
Facebook, TikTok, Instagram
Messaging Platforms
WhatsApp, Telegram
Phone Calls
Online Shopping
Carousell, TikTok Shop
Other Websites
How to Stay Protected
Block and Report
Download the free ScamShield app to block suspicious calls and report scam messages.
Call the ScamShield Helpline at 1799 or make a police report online immediately.
Verify Before Acting
Always verify requests for money or personal information through official channels.
Stay Updated
Regularly follow advisories from the Singapore Police Force and read up more about scams at Scam.SG
Visit Scam.SGThe 3-Step Verification Process
1
Pause and AssessWhen you receive any request involving money, personal information, or urgent action:
•Stop what you're doing and resist the urge to act immediately
•Question the urgency - legitimate organizations rarely require instant action
•Look for red flags: poor grammar, unfamiliar contact details, or threats of immediate consequences
2
Verify Through Official ChannelsNever use contact information provided in suspicious messages. Instead:
For Government Agencies:
•Visit the official government website directly (gov.sg domains only)
•Call the agency's main number found on their official website
•Visit their physical office if necessary
For Banks and Financial Institutions:
•Log into your account through the official app or website
•Call the customer service number on the back of your card
•Visit a branch in person
For Companies and Service Providers:
•Contact them through their official website or app
•Call their main customer service line
•Check their verified social media accounts
3
Cross-Reference Information•Compare details from the suspicious message with official communications
•Ask the organisation directly about the specific request or issue
•If they have no record of contacting you, it's definitely a scam
Remember: When in doubt, always err on the side of caution. It's better to take extra time to verify than to become a victim.
Police Enforcement & Recovery Efforts
Enhanced Capabilities
Protection from Scams Act
Operationalised on 1 July 2025
Crypto Tracing Team
Launched in March 2025
GXS Bank Co-location
At Anti-Scam Command since March 2025
Recovery & Intervention
$56.7M Recovered
Scam losses successfully recovered
19,800+ SMS Alerts
Sent to 14,200+ victims
$145M Losses Averted
Through proactive alerts
Joint Interventions
560+ Interventions
Conducted with partner agencies
$33.7M Prevented
Through joint intervention efforts
SIM Card Enforcement
Ramped up efforts against abuse