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| Singapore hopes the caning will curb its growing problem with scams |
Starting on Dec. 30 last year, convicted scammers in Singapore will be subject to up to 24 strokes of the cane, apart from the standard maximum penalty of up to 10 years in prison plus fines.
The Criminal Law (Miscellaneous Amendments)
Act 2025 was passed on Nov 4, 2025, and includes caning for scams and
scams-related offences.
Under the law, scammers, members and
recruiters of scam syndicate face mandatory caning of at least six strokes.
This can go up to 24 strokes depending on the severity of the crime.
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Discretionary caning of up to 12
strokes is also provided for scam mules, or those who provide their Singpass (like
HKID cards in Hong Kong) credential, SIM cards or bank accounts to be used in
scams.
This means that for those convicted of
crimes under the second category, the courts are left to decide during sentencing
if caning is needed.
Singapore law already provides for
caning as a corporal punishment in crimes like vandalism, sexual offenses and
robbery, but makes exemptions for women and those aged below 18, and over 50 years old.
The move underscores the gravity of Singapore’s
problem with scams, including the huge losses incurred by victims. The introduction
of scams for offenders is meant to further deter people from getting involved
in the growing menace.
Since 2020, scam victims in Singapore
are reported to have lost around S$3.8 billion (US$2.9 billion) to criminals who
use phone calls and messaging, email and online schemes to rob them of their
savings.
Last year, a record S$1.1billion (US$839.5M)
was lost to swindlers by some 40,000 people in the city state.
According to Senior Minister of State
for Home Affairs Sim Ann, scams now make up 60%, or more than half of all
reported crimes in Singapore. The victims are from a diverse sector, including a
Chinese actor and a widow from Illinois.
Filipinos are among those who have been found guilty of scams, or related offences. They include a Filipina who was jailed for two years for using fake PayNow screenshots to pay for food worth over S$9,000 at two Singapore restaurants.
A Filipina natioanl was among 12 people, mostly Singaporeans and Malaysians who were charges with operating a scam sundicate operating out of Cambodia, but targeting people in Singapore. They're believed to be responsible for losses amountint to more than S$40 million.
Another Filipina was jailed for helping a fellow domestic worker transfer $$116,000 in funds linked to internet love scams targeting Singaporean women.
Even the Philippine Embassy in Singapore has warned of individuals using its name and logo to offer fake jobs online and collect exorbitant fees.
