Immediate Steps After Fraud in Singapore
Discovering that you have been scammed can leave you feeling anxious, embarrassed or unsure where to turn. Whether you transferred money, shared banking details, approved an unexpected Singpass request or responded to a fraudulent job offer, your first priority is to prevent further harm.
If money or banking information is involved, contact your bank immediately through its official fraud hotline. Ask about blocking affected accounts and cards, activating available emergency security controls and attempting to recover the payment. Preserve messages, receipts and transaction records, and file a report with the Singapore Police Force.
You do not need to handle the situation alone. Singapore’s 24-hour ScamShield Helpline at 1799 can help you check suspicious communications and direct you towards appropriate assistance. If someone is in immediate danger or urgent police assistance is required, call 999.
Recognising Scams and Forged Documents
Scams targeting people in Singapore can involve fake investments, online shopping, romance, employment, government impersonation and phishing messages. Some begin with an apparently harmless conversation on WhatsApp, Telegram or social media before developing into requests for money, account access or personal information.
Fraudsters may copy a company’s name, logo and letterhead to create convincing employment offers, invoices, investment documents or payment instructions. A polished document does not prove that the organisation issued it. Understanding how company letterhead can be misused in scams can help you recognise why independent verification matters.
Verify Before You Pay or Share Information
Contact the organisation through details you obtain independently from its official website. Do not rely solely on the telephone number, QR code or link supplied in an unexpected message. Never share your banking password, OTP or Singpass credentials with someone who contacts you unexpectedly, and do not approve login or signing requests you did not initiate.
For important correspondence, document-authentication and verification methods can help recipients check the source and contents of supported documents. Businesses can also strengthen their communications by adopting anti-fraud measures against company impersonation and giving customers a clear way to verify their letters.
If you have already lost money, be cautious of anyone promising guaranteed recovery for an upfront fee. Keep the evidence and seek assistance through verified banking and police channels.
Using This Singapore Fraud Help Guide
The sections below explain how to report a scam, protect your Singpass and financial accounts, respond to identity misuse and check your credit information. You will also find assistance for consumer disputes, financial complaints and suspicious employment or immigration offers.
1. Stop Further Losses
1. Stop sending money and end contact with the suspected scammer. Do not pay additional withdrawal fees, taxes or recovery charges.
2. Call 999 if someone is in immediate danger or urgent police assistance is needed. If it is unsafe to speak, or you cannot make a voice call because of a speech or hearing impairment, use the Police Emergency SMS service at 70999.
3. Contact your bank immediately using its official anti-scam hotline. Ask it to block compromised cards, accounts and payment access.
4. Use your bank’s emergency account-locking or Kill Switch feature where available. Check with the bank which accounts and transactions will be affected.
5. Preserve messages, screenshots, receipts, bank statements, payment references and the scammer’s contact information.
6. File a police report online or at a Neighbourhood Police Centre or Neighbourhood Police Post.
7. Secure compromised email, banking, Singpass and social-media accounts from a trusted device.
8. Call the 24-hour ScamShield Helpline at 1799 if you need help checking a suspected scam or identifying the next steps.
9. Report the fraudulent account, listing or advertisement to the platform where it appeared.
2. Contact Your Bank or Payment Provider
Contact your bank or payment provider immediately if you transferred money, shared financial information or noticed an unauthorised transaction.
Use the bank’s official application, the number on your card or the government’s bank anti-scam hotline directory:
https://www.scamshield.gov.sg/bank-s-anti-scam-hotline/
Ask the bank to:
• Block compromised cards and banking access
• Explain and activate available emergency account-locking controls
• Attempt to recall or trace a transfer
• Investigate unauthorised transactions
• Explain whether a card chargeback is available
• Remove unfamiliar beneficiaries, devices or digital-wallet registrations
• Replace compromised credentials and cards
• Provide a written complaint reference and investigation outcome
Tell the bank exactly what happened, including whether you shared an OTP, installed an application or approved a transaction.
Recovery is not guaranteed. Ask the bank which rules and protections apply to your particular case.
If you remain dissatisfied, use the bank’s formal complaint process. You may then approach the Financial Industry Disputes Resolution Centre (FIDReC), subject to its eligibility requirements.
Submit an eligible claim within six months of receiving the financial institution’s final reply.
FIDReC:
Telephone:
+65 6327 8878
3. Report the Fraud to Police
File a formal police report if you have lost money, experienced identity misuse or believe a crime has occurred.
For incidents that do not require immediate police action, use the Singapore Police Force online reporting service:
https://www.police.gov.sg/e-services/lodge-police-report
You can also report in person at a Neighbourhood Police Centre or Neighbourhood Police Post. If you cannot access the online service, contact SPF for assistance.
Include:
• Your name and contact details
• When and how the scam began
• The amount lost and each payment date
• Bank account numbers, PayNow details and transaction references
• Cryptocurrency wallet addresses and transaction IDs, if relevant
• Telephone numbers, email addresses and usernames used by the scammer
• Website addresses and links to advertisements or profiles
• Screenshots, chat histories, emails and documents
• Details of information or account access you disclosed
• Any suspicious applications you installed
• Reference numbers from your bank or other organisations
Keep your police report number and provide additional evidence through the channel instructed by the investigating officer.
For urgent police assistance, call 999. Reporting a suspicious message through ScamShield does not replace filing a formal police report.
4. Report Cybercrime and Online Fraud
Report suspected criminal fraud, account theft, online extortion or financial loss to the Singapore Police Force.
For cybersecurity incidents such as malware, phishing or compromised systems, you may also report the incident to the Singapore Cyber Emergency Response Team (SingCERT):
https://www.csa.gov.sg/resources/singcert/cyber-aid/
A SingCERT report does not replace a police report.
Take these steps:
1. Save relevant messages, email headers, URLs, login alerts and transaction records.
2. If you suspect malware or remote access on your phone, disconnect it from the internet by enabling flight mode and turning off Wi-Fi.
3. Use a different, trusted device to contact your bank and check important accounts.
4. Change compromised passwords, revoke unfamiliar sessions and review recovery details.
5. If financial loss or unauthorised transactions occurred, report them to your bank and police.
6. Do not factory-reset a potentially compromised device before seeking police guidance, as this may destroy evidence.
7. Report suspicious calls, messages and links through the ScamShield application.
8. Notify the platform or organisation being impersonated.
ScamShield guidance:
https://www.scamshield.gov.sg/
ScamShield Helpline:
1799 — available 24 hours a day
From overseas: +65 6869 1799
5. Protect Your Identity
If your NRIC or FIN details, passport information, Singpass credentials or other personal information were exposed:
1. Secure your email account and change reused or compromised passwords.
2. Review recovery telephone numbers, email addresses, active sessions and connected devices.
3. If Singpass may be compromised, contact the Singpass Helpdesk immediately:
+65 6335 3533
Press 9 for 24-hour scam support.
https://portal.singpass.gov.sg/home/ui/contact-us
4. Do not approve Singpass login or digital-signing requests that you did not initiate.
5. Inform affected banks, lenders, insurers and other service providers about possible identity misuse.
6. Contact your mobile provider if your SIM stops working unexpectedly or you suspect an unauthorised SIM replacement.
7. Obtain your Credit Bureau Singapore report and investigate credit accounts or enquiries you do not recognise.
8. Include suspected identity misuse in your police report.
9. If your physical Singapore identity card is lost, report the loss to ICA immediately and apply for a replacement within 14 days of reporting:
https://www.ica.gov.sg/documents/ic/loss
10. If a passport is lost or stolen, contact its issuing authority. Foreign nationals should contact their embassy or consulate.
11. If only a copy of your identity document was exposed, seek advice from the issuing authority and affected institutions about appropriate protection measures.
12. Notify friends, family or customers if a compromised account is being used to impersonate you.
6. Protect Your Credit
Credit Bureau Singapore (CBS)
Obtain your consumer credit report and review it for credit accounts, applications or enquiries you do not recognise.
Credit report information:
https://www.creditbureau.com.sg/consumer-credit-report.html
Telephone:
+65 6565 6363
If information appears inaccurate or fraudulent, contact the financial institution that supplied it and notify CBS. Keep your credit report enquiry number available when raising a dispute.
A credit report does not show every form of identity misuse, so continue monitoring your bank accounts and other services.
Moneylenders Credit Bureau (MLCB)
If you suspect identity misuse involving a licensed moneylender, contact MLCB and the lender concerned.
https://mlcb.creditbureau.com.sg/
Telephone:
+65 6335 5897
Email:
Report suspected fraudulent borrowing to police as well. Ask each institution what protective measures it can apply to your account.
7. Consumer-Protection Resources
Consumers Association of Singapore (CASE)
For disputes with businesses over consumer goods or services, contact CASE for advice about available assistance.
Complaint submission:
https://www.case.org.sg/submit-a-complaint/
Telephone:
+65 6277 5100
Keep receipts, contracts, advertisements, payment records and your correspondence with the seller.
CASE can assess whether the dispute falls within its scope. Membership or service fees may apply depending on the assistance requested.
If you suspect criminal fraud, also report it to the Singapore Police Force. A consumer complaint does not replace a police report.
Financial disputes
For a dispute with a participating financial institution, complain to the institution first. If unresolved, check your eligibility with FIDReC:
Scam advice
For help checking whether something is a scam, call ScamShield at 1799 or visit:
8. Employment and Immigration Fraud
Be cautious of job offers that:
• Require deposits to unlock tasks, commissions or wages
• Ask you to buy products or top up an account to complete work
• Promise unusually high income for simple online activities
• Ask you to receive or transfer money through your personal bank account
• Request your Singpass credentials or unfamiliar approval requests
• Involve no genuine interview or independently verifiable employer
• Demand payment through cryptocurrency or a personal account
• Guarantee a work pass or immigration approval
• Provide only a PDF or screenshot as proof of approval
Verify the offer by contacting the employer through independently obtained contact details.
Check employment agencies and registered personnel through MOM’s EA Directory:
https://www.mom.gov.sg/eservices/services/employment-agencies-and-personnel-search
Verify work-pass applications and pass validity through MOM:
https://www.mom.gov.sg/eservices/services/check-work-pass-and-application-status
Compare the official employment details with what you were offered.
Do not assume every employment-agency fee is unlawful. Singapore regulates permitted fees and when they may be collected. Ask MOM to verify suspicious charges, and keep itemised receipts.
MOM contact information:
https://www.mom.gov.sg/contact-us
Telephone:
6438 5122
For immigration and visa matters, use ICA’s official website:
If you lost money or believe an offer was fraudulent, contact your bank and file a police report. If you are outside Singapore, also report the incident to police in your own country.
Official Contacts and Telephone Numbers
Police emergency
999
Police emergency SMS
70999 — if it is unsafe to speak or a voice call is inaccessible
Singapore Police Force — Formal police report
https://www.police.gov.sg/e-services/lodge-police-report
ScamShield — 24-hour helpline
1799
From overseas: +65 6869 1799
https://www.scamshield.gov.sg/
Bank anti-scam hotline directory
https://www.scamshield.gov.sg/bank-s-anti-scam-hotline/
SingCERT — Cybersecurity incident reporting
https://www.csa.gov.sg/resources/singcert/cyber-aid/
Singpass Helpdesk
+65 6335 3533
Press 9 for 24-hour scam support
https://portal.singpass.gov.sg/home/ui/contact-us
Credit Bureau Singapore
+65 6565 6363
https://www.creditbureau.com.sg/
Moneylenders Credit Bureau
+65 6335 5897
[email protected]
https://mlcb.creditbureau.com.sg/
Consumers Association of Singapore
+65 6277 5100
https://www.case.org.sg/submit-a-complaint/
FIDReC
+65 6327 8878
https://www.fidrec.com.sg/
Ministry of Manpower
6438 5122
https://www.mom.gov.sg/contact-us
Immigration & Checkpoints Authority
https://www.ica.gov.sg/
Report the Fraud
Singapore Police Force (SPF)
Received a suspicious business document?
Check whether a document issued through VerifiableLetter is authentic.
Important: This guide provides general information for fraud victims in Singapore. It is not legal, financial or cybersecurity advice and does not guarantee recovery of money. Reporting procedures, contact details, fees and eligibility requirements may change. Verify instructions through the relevant organisation’s official website before providing personal information. VerifiableLetter is not affiliated with the agencies listed.