A 39-year-old man has been taken into custody for his suspected role in trying to hack into RedeemSG, the Singapore government’s digital voucher platform. The system, used for schemes such as the CDC Vouchers, enables recipients to digitise their vouchers and allows merchants to process government-issued credits securely.
According to a statement from the Singapore Police Force (SPF) on 10 August, the RedeemSG team detected multiple suspicious attempts to gain unauthorised access to voucher links on 28 July. A police report was promptly lodged, triggering a swift investigation by officers from the Cybercrime Command under the Criminal Investigation Department.
Authorities confirmed that none of the attempts were successful, and no vouchers were compromised in the process. Nevertheless, the incident underscores the growing cybersecurity threats faced by government IT systems in the age of digital services.
Swift Police Action and Seizure of Evidence
Within a day of the report being filed, investigators were able to identify the suspect. On 29 July, he was arrested and a laptop, believed to have been used in the offence, was seized for forensic examination.
The suspect is now under investigation for Attempted Unauthorised Access to Computer Material — a criminal offence in Singapore. If convicted, he could face up to two years’ imprisonment, a fine of up to S$5,000, or both.
Police emphasised that they take any attempt to breach government digital platforms seriously and will act decisively against perpetrators. This proactive approach is seen as a vital part of Singapore’s wider digital fraud prevention strategy.
Strengthening Trust in Digital Public Services
RedeemSG is widely relied upon by agencies such as the National Environment Agency (NEA), Public Utilities Board (PUB), and People’s Association to distribute benefits efficiently to Singapore residents. With digital transactions becoming increasingly common, the integrity of such systems is critical to maintaining public trust.
Cybersecurity experts note that while the failed hacking attempt highlights the platform’s resilience, it also serves as a reminder that cybercriminals continue to adapt their methods. As Singapore positions itself as a smart nation, robust security protocols and public awareness campaigns remain essential in safeguarding against future breaches.