Singapore authorities have reported a sharp rise in government official impersonation scams, with the number of cases and losses nearly doubling compared to the previous year.
Over 1,100 cases were reported between January and October 2024, leading to losses of at least S$120 million. This is a substantial increase from the 680 cases and S$67 million in losses recorded during the same period in 2023.
Scammers impersonate bank officers, claim to represent major Singaporean banks, and contact victims with false allegations of unauthorized credit cards or suspicious transactions.
Authorities recommend enabling security features on devices, using two-factor or multi-factor authentication for online accounts, and reporting suspicious activity to the ScamShield helpline or website.