Scammers impersonating immigration staff steal S$8.8m from Singapore PR applicants as 148 reports lodged

Singapore authorities have reported that scammers impersonating immigration officers have stolen at least S$8.8 million (RM28.07 million) from Permanent Resident (PR) application applicants since January. The Immigration and Checkpoints Authority (ICA) and Singapore Police Force (SPF) have issued a joint advisory cautioning the public about these scams.

The advisory revealed that 148 reports of immigration-related scams have been filed so far. The ICA emphasized that it does not endorse or support any services that claim to improve applicants' chances of obtaining long-term immigration facilities, including Singapore PR.

The advisory highlighted that fraudulent entities or consultants may approach potential PR applicants, promising assistance in securing PR status. Victims may come across advertisements on social media platforms, offering PR application services. Clicking on these advertisements leads victims to a fake consultancy agency's website, where they are asked to submit personal details, including mobile phone numbers, via an online form.

Scammers then contact the victims, convincing them to pay fees ranging from S$200 to around S$90,000 to expedite the PR application process. These investments often involve purported company investments, academic certifications, and cash donations.

The scammers instruct victims to make bank transfers or hand over cash to unknown individuals. The victims only realize they have been scammed when they seek verification from the authority regarding the authenticity of fraudulent In-Principle Approval (IPA) letters displaying the ICA letterhead.