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The Police would like to alert members of the public to a new modus operandi used by scammers to open accounts with payment service providers (PSPs), by using digitally modified copies of Singapore identity cards. The accounts would then be used by the scammers to conduct illicit activities.

Under this modus operandi, the scammers would obtain a softcopy of a Singapore identity card, and use digital tools to replace the original facial image on that copy with another facial image. This doctored copy would then be submitted online to PSPs to set up payment service accounts. When the PSPs conduct mandatory user verification (e.g. “facial liveness” checks), the scammers would instruct an accomplice who resembles the doctored image, to assume the identity of the person whose name is on the card. Upon successfully opening these accounts, the scammers would use them for illicit activities, such as receiving scam proceeds from victims.

Some of the misused identity cards belonged to victims of scams who had previously furnished softcopies of their Singapore identity cards to the scammers. 

It is an offence under Section 468 of the Penal Code 1871 for a person to forge a document or electronic record, including by making alterations to it, with the intent to use it for the purpose of cheating. A person convicted of this offence may be punished with an imprisonment term of up to 10 years and a fine. 

The Monetary Authority of Singapore (MAS) has alerted all financial institutions of this modus operandi, and the affected PSPs have tightened their measures. Financial institutions have also been reminded to review and ensure that their customer onboarding processes are sufficiently robust to prevent scammers from exploiting their services. 

Additionally, the Cyber Security Agency of Singapore (CSA) encourages businesses to adopt the following precautionary measures:

1. Leverage Singpass for user verification instead of digital copies of identity cards for sensitive online transactions such as the creation of payment services or bank accounts; and
   
   
2. Monitor and report any suspicious transactions upon account creation (e.g., multiple unknown deposits and withdrawals) over a short period of time.

The Police would like to advise members of the public that you should NEVER share images of your personal identification documents with anybody without first verifying the legitimacy of the requestor and of the purpose. You are also encouraged to adopt the following precautionary measures: 

1. ADD – ScamShield App to block scam calls and filter scam SMSes. Set transaction limits that are adequate for daily expenses, and lower transaction notification thresholds. Alert the bank immediately of any suspicious activity in your bank account. Activate the Money Lock feature of your bank to “lock up” a portion of your money so that it cannot be transferred out digitally by anyone.
   
   
2. CHECK – for scam signs with official sources such as the ScamShield App. Call and check with the 24/7 ScamShield Helpline at 1799.
   
   
3. TELL – authorities, family, and friends if or when you encounter scams. If you suspect that you have fallen victim to a scam, call your bank immediately to block any fraudulent transactions and make a police report. 

For more information on scams, members of the public can visit www.scamshield.gov.sg.