If something feels off when a stranger asks for your personal details, trust your gut—because you wouldn’t want to end up being an unwitting money mule. Singapore has seen a worrying rise in scams involving Singpass credentials, which has led to the larger problem of criminals using the details to register companies, open bank accounts, and sign up for new phone lines, to facilitate money laundering and other offences.
Scam victims in Singapore lost S$660.7 million in 2022, which works out to just over S$110 per person. And the scams continue to rise: in the first half of 2024, there were more than 26,000 reported cases – a 16% increase from the previous year – with victims losing at least S$1.1 billion over the course of the year.
While such fraudulent activities were once primarily associated with the elderly, an increasing number of younger individuals are falling victim to these sophisticated schemes. In fact, more than 50% of scam victims were between 20 and 39 years old.
How the Scams Work
There are two main ways scammers obtain Singpass details:
Selling Singpass Credentials via Messaging Apps
There’s an emerging trend of individuals knowingly selling their Singpass details through platforms like Telegram and WhatsApp, often in exchange for a promised fee. In early 2024, 50.7% of reported scams took place on Facebook, WhatsApp, and Telegram, which saw a sharp 137% increase in scams from the previous year.
Once the scammers obtain these details, they use them to create businesses and open bank accounts, which are then used for laundering money from scams. Unfortunately, many who engage in this trade never receive payment but still face serious legal consequences because they made the decision to sell their Singpass, thus making them accomplices rather than victims.
Falling Victim to Job Scams
Scammers also pose as legitimate employers, advertising fake job opportunities. As part of the hiring process, they ask for Singpass credentials under the guise of verifying vaccination records, criminal history, or employment eligibility. When victims showed interest in the job, scammers sent them Singpass QR codes to scan, claiming it was for background checks like criminal records or vaccination status. However, those who authorised the request – the real victims – later realised they had been scammed when they found out bank accounts, phone lines, or even companies were opened in their name.
A Singapore Police Force advisory in May 2024 warned about these fraudulent activities, stressing that individuals should never share their Singpass details unless absolutely certain of the recipient’s legitimacy. Victims often unknowingly facilitate money laundering operations by giving away their credentials.
Recent Cases of Singpass-Related Scams
Several cases illustrate the severity of this issue. In July 2024, 29-year-old Goh Hai Shan was sentenced to 11 months and two weeks in jail for selling his Singpass details on Telegram. His credentials were used to establish a fake business and open bank accounts, which laundered nearly S$1 million in scam proceeds. Though he was promised between S$8,000 and S$15,000, he never received a cent—yet he still faced legal repercussions.
In September 2024, 19-year-old Amaanul Rahman gave his details to the unknown person over Telegram in exchange for S$3,000, and it’s alleged that it was linked to bank accounts used to launder S$500,000 in criminal proceeds. It’s unclear whether he received the payment in the end.
There are also those prosecuted for committing job scams. In February 2025, 26-year-old Jonathan Neo Choon Hian was charged with four offenses under the Computer Misuse Act for allegedly helping scam syndicates access compromised Singpass accounts. He obtained Singpass credentials through fraudulent job advertisements, which were then used to launder over S$1 million.
Legal and Enforcement Actions
Authorities in Singapore are intensifying their efforts to combat these scams. In September 2024, 40 people were charged for selling their Singpass details or participating in money laundering activities. The Sentencing Advisory Panel has since recommended harsher penalties, including significant jail time, for those caught misusing Singpass credentials.
Allowing others access to your payment account without verifying the purpose can lead to money laundering charges. Rash offenders face up to five years’ jail and $250,000 in fines, while negligent offenders risk three years’ jail and $150,000 in fines. Ignorance is no excuse.
Law enforcement agencies are also increasing public awareness, warning people about the dangers of sharing their personal information and becoming unwitting accomplices.
How to Protect Yourself
To stay safe from Singpass-related scams, keep these tips in mind:
- Never share your Singpass credentials, even if someone claims to be from a reputable company.
- Be extremely cautious of job offers that request Singpass details for “verification” purposes.
- Say “no” to anyone offering to buy your Singpass details.
- Use the ScamShield mobile app, where you can check if something is a scam, from channels such as WhatsApp and Telegram.
- Report any suspicious activity to the authorities.
Scammers are becoming more sophisticated, so staying alert is crucial. Always trust your instincts and take steps to protect your personal information—you don’t want to find yourself caught up in a crime you didn’t even know you were part of.
Below is a sample screenshot of how a Singpass scam works (images via Singapore Police Force):
