Scam-proofing Singapore is a national effort driven by partnerships
Staying safe online needs the cooperation of multiple parties, from businesses to law enforcement, public education, and individuals. All need to play a part.
As online scams become increasingly sophisticated and widespread, Singapore is doubling down on public–private collaboration to counter the ever-evolving threat landscape. In a recent panel about "Inside a Scammer’s Mind" hosted by Meta, leaders from technology, law enforcement, and public education came together to discuss the country’s multi-pronged strategy to safeguard citizens — and to emphasise that cyber resilience is a shared responsibility.
A Billion-Dollar Industry Built on Exploitation
Clara Koh, Head of Public Policy for Singapore and ASEAN at Meta. Photo: HWZ.
Clara Koh, Head of Public Policy for Singapore and ASEAN at Meta, opened the session by underscoring the alarming scale of the scam economy. “What used to be small-time cybercrime is now a massive, industrialised operation run by international criminal syndicates,” she said. She quoted a recent report that said that scam networks generate over US$40 billion in illicit revenue globally.
“Many of these compounds aren’t far from Singapore, and not only are victims losing their savings, but some perpetrators are victims themselves — trafficked and forced into scam centres,” Koh noted.
For Meta, tackling scams is both a business necessity and a social imperative. The company’s three-pronged strategy includes strengthening in-platform safety, disrupting malicious actors using AI tools such as facial recognition, and sharing threat intelligence across sectors via initiatives like the Fraud Intelligence Reciprocal Exchange (FIRE) programme.
Partnership with Law Enforcement
Police Superintendent Rosie Ann McIntyre, Assistant Director of the Scam Public Education Office Operations Department at the Singapore Police Force. Photo: HWZ.
Police Superintendent Rosie Ann McIntyre, Assistant Director of the Scam Public Education Office Operations Department at the Singapore Police Force (SPF), echoed Koh’s concerns and stressed how quickly scam tactics evolve. “Scammers constantly shift their approaches. They don’t just target the elderly, everyone is vulnerable, including young, tech-savvy individuals who may be overconfident,” she said.
McIntyre highlighted that Singapore’s high level of trust in institutions plays a vital role. “Our high scam reporting rate helps law enforcement monitor trends and tactics in real time. That enables us to develop targeted, timely public awareness campaigns.”
She also pointed to tools like the ScamShield WhatsApp channel and ScamShield app (for iOS and Android), which serve as real-time alert systems. “Even reporting just one suspicious number can help protect someone else.”
Reaching Every Segment of Society
Nicholas Khoo, Chairman, Commercial Sector Sub-committee, National Crime Prevention Council Singapore. Photo: HWZ.
The National Crime Prevention Council (NCPC) is also key to outreach efforts. Nicholas Khoo, Chairman, Commercial Sector Sub-committee, National Crime Prevention Council Singapore, emphasised that scam prevention must be constant, creative, and far-reaching. he said:
Scams thrive on manipulation — fear, urgency, and isolation. We aim to reach people wherever they are — whether that’s on television, in housing estates, or through mobile games. We’ve used music, skits, games — whatever resonates with the community.
One initiative is Xiam the Scams, a digital game simulating real-life scam scenarios. Over half a million players have engaged with the game, participating in more than 10 million unique playthroughs.
He also reiterated the importance of the ‘Add, Check, Tell’ framework:
- Add protective tools such as the ScamShield app
- Check suspicious messages, links, or requests
- Tell your to experience of cyberattacks to the authorities, platform owners, and the ScamShield Helpline at 1799.
Content Creators Under Attack
The Weeblings, Photo: HWZ.
Content creators Aaron and Sara Wee — better known as "The Weeblings", shared first-hand experiences. “We’ve been impersonated over 30 times,” said Sarah. “One follower nearly transferred money to a fake account posing as us, offering bogus investment opportunities.”
They now include disclaimers like “We never DM first” and avoid using the same usernames across platforms to deter impersonators. “It’s frightening how convincing these scams can be, especially when trust is involved,” they added.
A Shared Responsibility
As AI-generated content becomes harder to distinguish, Koh underscored the need to improve both digital and AI literacy. “We’ve embedded watermarks into AI-generated images and are working with industry partners to create shared detection systems. But none of this will be foolproof,” she cautioned.
Her call to action? Equip users with critical thinking and confidence. “We don’t want people to be fearful of technology. Instead, we want them to feel empowered to navigate the digital world safely.”
When asked what advice they’d give their own family members, panellists offered consistent guidance:
- Stay informed using trusted sources like ScamShield
- Foster open conversations — particularly with older relatives
- Take action — report impersonations, fraudulent links, and phone scams
Singapore’s fight against online scams has become a whole-of-society effort, from content creators and corporations to government agencies and everyday users.
“Scam prevention isn’t just about protecting yourself,” said Wee. “It’s about protecting your entire community.”
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