Navigating the Web of Lies: Latest Online Scams Unmasked

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Over the years, there has been an alarming surge in online scams as perpetrators target unsuspecting users via social media and messaging platforms (e.g., Facebook, WhatsApp, and Instagram). With the total amount lost to online scams coming up to a whopping S$651.8 million in 2023, it is more important than ever that we navigate the online world with caution!

Did You Know?

At least 2,000 victims fell prey to concert ticket scams between January and May, with losses amounting to at least $1 million. These "tickets" are often listed for sale on online platforms such as Telegram, X, Facebook, Carousell and Xiaohongshu.

Some victims had also set up a group chat to share screenshots of their interactions with the culprit, warning others of the latter's scam tactics.

Source: Singapore Police Force & The Straits Times

Common Scam Types

The top 5 scam types which Singaporeans fell prey to in recent years include:

In particular, with advancements in artificial intelligence-powered editing tools, manipulated pictures and videos are increasingly being used for scams.

Just earlier this year, Senior Minister Lee Hsien Loong had warned the public of a deepfake video of him circulating online that asks viewers to sign up for a scam investment product. The fraudsters went to great lengths to deceive by synchronising the fabricated audio over an actual footage of him delivering the 2023 National Day message.

Anti-scam Tips

Stay vigilant and avoid online scams with the following tips:

BEWARE of “too good to be true” offers as scammers leverage greed to lull victims in

VERIFY identities by researching on the company offering the job/product

AVOID downloading apps from unofficial sources to prevent potential malware infection

REPORT to the platform where you encountered the scam for their investigations