In Feb 2026, Singapore saw over 18 scams impersonating officials, causing $2.9M in losses, with new laws enabling prison and caning for perpetrators.

In February 2026, Singapore reported over 18 scams involving impersonation of government officials, including MAS and the Ministry of Law, resulting in losses exceeding $2.9 million. Scammers claimed victims owed insurance premiums or were involved in money laundering, using fake arrest warrants and inspection orders to pressure them into surrendering gold, jewelry, or luxury watches. Authorities warn genuine officials never request valuables, banking details, or app installations, and urge the public to verify calls via official numbers or the 1799 ScamShield Helpline. New laws now allow prison and caning for scammers, as such frauds have nearly tripled since 2024.