Singapore Police Warns Against Phishing Scams Involving Impersonation of Officers

The Singapore Police Force (SPF) has issued a warning to the public regarding a series of phishing scams where fraudsters impersonate police officers. Since April 14, 2025, at least five incidents have been reported, resulting in financial losses exceeding $2,000.

In these scams, victims receive video calls via Google Meet from individuals dressed in police uniforms, claiming to be officers from the SPF. The scammers assert that there are issues with the victims’ bank accounts and that they are under investigation. They then request personal information, banking details, and One-Time Passwords (OTPs) under the guise of verification or investigation purposes. Victims often realize they have been scammed when they notice unauthorized transactions from their bank accounts, typically involving payments to Grab or GrabPay Wallet, or when the scammers become unreachable.

The police emphasize that legitimate government officials will never request money transfers, banking login information, or the installation of unofficial mobile applications over the phone. To protect themselves from such scams, the public is encouraged to adopt the following precautionary measures:

1. ADD: Download the ScamShield app and activate its security features. This includes setting transaction limits for online banking, enabling Two-Factor Authentication (2FA) and Multifactor Authentication for banking and e-wallets, and utilizing the Money Lock feature offered by banks to secure funds from unauthorized transfers.
2. CHECK: Verify any suspicious communications through official channels, such as the ScamShield App. For immediate assistance, individuals can contact the 24/7 ScamShield Helpline at 1799.
3. TELL: Inform authorities, family, and friends about potential scams. Report any fraudulent transactions to your bank without delay and notify the relevant companies or platforms about suspicious advertisements.

For further information on scams and preventive measures, the public can visit www.scamshield.gov.sg. The SPF stresses that combating scams is a collective effort, urging everyone to work together to ACT Against Scams and protect the community.