The Singapore Police Force (SPF) has issued a warning to the public about a rising scam involving impersonation of officers from the Suspicious Transaction Reporting Office (STRO) of the Commercial Affairs Department. Since April 2025, at least 20 cases have been reported, with losses totalling S$408,000.
In this scam, victims receive unsolicited calls or WhatsApp video calls from individuals claiming to be STRO officers. Scammers often use fake police identification, wear uniforms, or display the police crest in the background to appear credible. Some even introduce themselves using real names of police officers sourced from public records.
Victims are falsely told they are involved in criminal activities, such as money laundering, and are pressured to comply with “investigations.” Scammers may first pose as bank representatives before transferring victims to impersonators from STRO. To strengthen the illusion, fake STRO reports or “Anti-Money Laundering warrants” are often shared via WhatsApp.
How the Scam Works
Scammers instruct victims to transfer money to “government-designated accounts,” hand over cash to unknown persons, or conduct cryptocurrency transactions. Victims only realise they have been scammed when asked to deposit more money or when verification with SPF is attempted.
SPF emphasises that STRO officers will never:
- Ask you to transfer money over a call
- Request your banking login details
- Ask you to install apps from unofficial sources
- Transfer your call to the police
Members of the public are urged to never hand money or valuables to unknown persons and avoid leaving assets in physical locations for collection.
Precautionary Measures
Authorities recommend using the ScamShield App to block suspicious calls and filter SMS messages, setting daily transaction limits, and activating the Money Lock feature in your bank. Always verify suspicious claims using official channels, including the 24/7 ScamShield Helpline at 1799.
If you suspect a scam, report it immediately to your bank and file a police report. Community vigilance is key—by following these steps, Singaporeans can protect themselves and help ACT Against Scams.
For more information, visit www.scamshield.gov.sg.
Screenshots of fake STRO reports and Anti-Money Laundering warrants have been used by scammers to deceive victims, underscoring the need for caution.