Warning: Scammers Targeting Singapore Residents

SINGAPORE – Residents of Singapore are being urged to stay vigilant against a rising trend of scams involving fraudsters impersonating government officials. The Singapore Police Force has issued a crucial alert to anyone receiving calls from individuals claiming to represent various government agencies, including the Digital Development and Information Ministry, the Monetary Authority of Singapore, and even local police authorities.

These cunning scammers typically use local phone numbers to gain the trust of their victims. They may falsely claim that the victim’s phone number has been involved in fraudulent job advertisements in Malaysia. To heighten the situation and create urgency, they might even attempt to transfer the victim's call to someone pretending to be an officer from "Malaysia Interpol."

In such scenarios, victims can find themselves being coerced into divulging sensitive personal information and banking details, or worse, being persuaded to send money to accounts provided by the scammers. The police have emphasized that no legitimate government official would ever request such information or instruct citizens to download unofficial mobile applications from third-party app stores.

As scams continue to evolve, experts urge the public to remain informed and cautious. To learn more about scams and how to protect yourself, Singaporeans can visit the ScamShield website at https://www.scamshield.gov.sg/ or contact the ScamShield helpline at 1799 for assistance. Additionally, anyone with tips or information regarding scam-related activities is encouraged to report them online at https://www.police.gov.sg/i-witness or directly through the police hotline at 1800-255-0000.

Stay alert, protect your personal information, and don’t fall victim to these scams! Together, we can help keep our community safe.