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The Police have recovered valuables and prevented further losses of approximately $50,000 through swift intervention in a case of Government Officials Impersonation Scam (GOIS). 

On 18 March 2026, the Police received a report from a 71-year-old victim who had received a call from an unknown person claiming to be from M1. The caller informed her that her identity was being misused to subscribe to an iPhone package and that the victim was required to pay $800 to $1,000, or she could choose to cancel the subscription. The victim requested to cancel and was directed to a person claiming to be from the Monetary Authority of Singapore (MAS) who would assist her with the matter.

The victim was contacted by various individuals claiming to be from MAS. As part of the fake investigation, the victim was instructed to hand over her ATM card and PIN as she was under the impression that she was assisting with police investigations. The victim also shared the banking One-Time-Passwords (OTPs) she received on her mobile phone with the scammer before realising she had been scammed and subsequently lodged a police report.

Through extensive ground enquiries and follow-up investigations, officers from the Anti-Scam Command established the identity of a 58-year-old woman who is believed to be involved in the case. She is currently assisting the Police with investigations.

In the course of investigations, an assortment of valuables was recovered. Officers from the Anti-Scam Command established that the valuables belonged to another 69-year-old victim and immediately engaged her on the same day, convincing her that she had fallen prey to similar scam tactics employed by scammers. This timely intervention prevented approximately $50,000 in potential losses.

The Police have observed that victims of GOIS may be asked to hand over their valuables, and bank cards along with PINs, to a "courier" or "investigation officer" who would usually arrange to meet them in person. Once the scammers acquire the ATM cards and PINs, they will immediately deplete the funds from the victims' accounts. Victims may also be asked to share One-Time-Passwords received on their mobile phones, which allows the scammers to gain unfettered access to their bank accounts. In some cases, victims may be instructed to open new bank accounts or perform various "assignments" for the scammers which they believe are for legitimate purposes.

With effect from 30 December 2025, scammers and members or recruiters of scam syndicates will face mandatory caning of at least six strokes, up to a maximum of 24 strokes. Scam mules who enable scammers by laundering scam proceeds will face discretionary caning of up to 12 strokes. This includes certain money-laundering offences under the Corruption, Drug Trafficking and Other Serious Crimes (Confiscation of Benefits) Act, SingPass offences under the Computer Misuse Act and certain SIM-card offences under the Miscellaneous Offences (Public Order and Nuisance) Act.

Under the Facility Restriction Framework, individuals involved in mule-related offences – whether they are under investigation and assessed to be at risk, or have been warned, issued with composition sums, prosecuted, or convicted – may be subject to restrictions on banking services and mobile line subscriptions to prevent further facilitation of scams.

The Police take a serious stance against any person who may be involved in scams, and perpetrators will be dealt with in accordance with the law. Members of the public are reminded to: 

• Never transfer cash, jewellery or other valuables to unknown persons whose identity has not been verified. 
  
• Never leave money or valuables at a location to facilitate subsequent collection. 
  
• Never share the screen of your device or disclose login credentials to anyone you do not know. 

Singapore Government officials, including those from the Monetary Authority of Singapore, will never: 

• Ask you to transfer money over the phone;   
• Request your banking login details;   
• Instruct you to install mobile apps from unofficial app stores; or  
• Transfer your call to the Police.

If you have any information relating to such crimes or are in doubt, please call the Police Hotline at 1800-255-0000, or submit information online at www.police.gov.sg/i-witness. All information will be kept strictly confidential. If you require urgent Police assistance, please dial ‘999’. For more information on scams, visit www.scamshield.gov.sg or call the 24/7 ScamShield Helpline at 1799.

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