{
  "id": 19916938,
  "title": "At least $31,000 lost in past two weeks to phishing scams via Apple iMessage",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/11/14/at-least-31-000-lost-in-past-two-weeks-to-phishing-scams-via-apple",
  "topic": "tech",
  "section": "Tech",
  "published": "2026-11-14T04:30:00.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Straits Times",
    "slug": "straits-times",
    "url": "https://www.straitstimes.com/singapore/at-least-31000-lost-in-past-two-weeks-to-phishing-scams-via-apple-imessage"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "In Singapore, at least $31,000 has been lost in two weeks due to phishing scams via Apple iMessage, according to police. The scams involve fraudulent messages that appear to come from courier companies or SingHealth polyclinics. These messages claim parcels failed delivery due to incomplete information or that the recipient has outstanding outpatient bills. The messages contain links to fraudulent websites designed to steal personal, banking, or credit card details, or to demand payment, the police stated. Police advised the public not to reply to such messages and to verify the legitimacy of courier-related messages and links using the ScamShield app or official sources before providing any information or making payment. Apple users are advised to keep their devices updated with the latest software to benefit from security and anti-scam safeguards. This is not the first time such advisory has been issued, with a similar warning being given on November 3. Police reported a surge in such phishing scams in November, with $410.6 million lost to these scams in the first half of 2026 alone. E-commerce scams were the most common type, with 3,865 cases and losses exceeding $8 million.",
  "summary": "Victims would receive messages that seem to belong to courier companies or SingHealth polyclinics.",
  "key_points": [
    "At least $31,000 lost in two weeks to Apple iMessage phishing scams in Singapore",
    "Fraudulent messages impersonate courier companies or SingHealth polyclinics",
    "Police advise verification via ScamShield app before responding or paying"
  ],
  "editors_take": "The rapid rise in fraudulent iMessage communications targeting courier and healthcare services highlights a growing vulnerability for Apple users facing increasingly sophisticated social engineering tactics.",
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}