Singapore Weighs Caning for Severe Scam Offenses After Record Losses

Authorities consider harsher penalties as scam-related losses in 2024 surge by 70%, exceeding S$1.1 billion.

Singapore's Minister of State for Home Affairs, Sun Xueling, announced that caning is being considered as a punishment for serious scam-related crimes due to their significant societal harm.
Scam-related losses in Singapore reached a record S$1.1 billion in 2024, marking a 70% increase over the previous year, with cryptocurrency-related scams accounting for nearly 25% of the total.
Authorities have intensified efforts to combat scams, including the investigation of over 8,000 money mules and scammers last year, leading to more than 660 individuals being charged in court.
Singapore is strengthening measures to detect and deter money mule activities, including enhanced collaboration between police and banks to identify suspicious accounts and implement cooling-off measures.
The government is urging stronger verification measures on platforms like Telegram, which saw a doubling of scam cases in 2024, and continues to promote public education through tools like the ScamShield app.