Scammers posing as ICA and China officials have stolen S$6.1 million from 72 victims since January — SPF issues alert
At least 72 people have lost a combined $6.1 million to scammers impersonating ICA and Chinese officials since January 2026, with victims tricked into transferring money for fake "investigations" o... This article ( Scammers posing as ICA and China officials have stolen S$6.1 million from 72 victims since January — SPF issues alert ) first appeared on The Independent Singapore News .
The Singapore Police Force (SPF) has issued a critical warning concerning a surge in government impersonation scams, where fraudsters assume the identities of Immigration & Checkpoints Authority (ICA) officials and Chinese authorities. Since January 2026, at least 72 victims have fallen prey to these scams, resulting in total losses of S$6.1 million.
These scammers typically initiate contact via unsolicited calls, impersonating ICA officers. They falsely claim that the victim's personal information has been compromised or that their phone number is associated with criminal activity, such as spreading misinformation or sending scam messages. When the victim denies any wrongdoings, the call is redirected to a second scammer, posing as a Chinese official. This alleged Chinese official then demands immediate payment, claiming it is for investigation or bail purposes.
Victims are instructed to transfer funds to specified bank accounts or physically hand over cash to the scammers. They often only become aware of the scam when the scammers become unreachable or when they independently verify the situation with the relevant government agencies.
The SPF advises the public to remain vigilant and not to share any banking details, personal information, or valuables with unknown callers. They should never transfer money or hand over valuables to individuals whose identities cannot be verified through official channels. Additionally, they should not leave cash or valuables in locations where they might be collected.
To enhance personal security, the SPF recommends installing the ScamShield app and enabling Two-Factor Authentication and transaction limits for bank accounts. Individuals should verify the legitimacy of suspicious calls, numbers, or messages by visiting www.scamshield.gov.sg or using the ScamShield app. They should also report any fraudulent attempts to their banks immediately and, if unsure, call the 24/7 ScamShield Helpline at 1799.
For further information, the public can visit the Spf's official ScamShield website at www.scamshield.gov.sg.
Written by urgent.news from The Independent Singapore's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
