Offered help with S'pore PR applications? At least S$8.8 million lost to ICA impersonators & fake ads scams.
Members of the public are advised to take necessary precautions.
Since January 2026, at least S$8.8 million has been lost to scams targeting Singaporeans with scammers masquerading as Immigration and Checkpoints Authority (ICA) officials. The Singapore Police Force (SPF) and ICA jointly warned the public against two types of ICA-related scams on September 25: impersonation calls and fraudulent advertising for PR assistance.
In one scam, victims receive unsolicited calls from individuals posing as ICA officials. These callers claim the victim's personal details have been misused or their phone numbers involved in criminal activities. The scammer then transfers the call to another person, claiming to be a Chinese authority, demanding a transfer of money for an investigation or bail.
Victims often only discover the scam after making multiple transfers or when the scammers stop responding. At least 117 cases have been reported, resulting in losses of up to S$8.4 million.
The second scam involves fraudulent advertisements on social media platforms like Facebook, promising to assist with obtaining permanent residency (PR) in Singapore. Clicking the link leads to a fake website of a consultancy agent, where victims are asked to provide personal details. Scammers then contact victims via WhatsApp, persuading them to pay fees between S$200 and S$9,000 for the PR application.
This fee is supposed to boost success through investments, certification purchases, and donations. Victims are instructed to make bank transfers or give cash to unknown individuals before receiving fake ICA emails with attached IPA letters. Nearly 31 cases have been reported, leading to losses around S$400,000.
ICA explicitly stated they do not endorse services from firms or consultants claiming to help applicants secure long-term immigration status. The public is encouraged to submit PR applications directly through ICA's website and contact ICA via their feedback form or call agents at 6391 6100 for assistance or verification. Singapore government officials will not request money, luxury items, or personal banking information.
The public is advised to avoid unsolicited calls and trust no communication that asks for sensitive data.
Written by urgent.news from Mothership's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
