{
  "id": 2288188,
  "title": "Singapore disrupts 30,000 iMessage accounts as scam losses hit US$1.7M",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/21/singapore-disrupts-30-000-imessage-accounts-as-scam-losses-hit-us-1-7m",
  "topic": "tech",
  "section": "Tech",
  "published": "2026-08-21T03:00:25.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "e27",
    "slug": "e27",
    "url": "https://e27.co/singapore-disrupts-30000-imessage-accounts-as-scam-losses-hit-us1-7m-20260821/"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Singapore's Cyber Command has disrupted more than 30,000 Apple iMessage accounts linked to a scam campaign, resulting in about US$1.7 million in losses since June 2026, according to the Singapore Police Force. The loss figure has rapidly increased, rising to SGD1.2 million (~US$940,000) by August 5. Fraudsters sent iMessages pretending to be courier companies, government agencies, and financial institutions, directing recipients to fraudulent websites. Victims were asked to make small payments, often entering card or banking details. Some discovered their cards had been added to mobile wallets, bank security tokens registered on unfamiliar devices, or accounts accessed without permission. Police noted that iMessage is not covered by the same filters and registry used for SMS, making it a harder target. Singapore has issued new Codes of Practice under the Online Criminal Harms Act for seven services posing the highest scam risk, including Apple iMessage, applying by January 31, 2027. Messaging platforms are increasingly used for customer service, sales, and community spaces, making them attractive channels for scammers. Singapore's approach is expanding beyond a single channel, with separate codes for Facebook, Instagram, and TikTok.",
  "summary": "Singapore’s fight against scams is moving deeper into the messaging apps people use every day, after police disrupted more than 30,000 Apple iMessage accounts linked to a campaign that has already caused about SGD2.2 million (US$1.7 million) in losses. The Singapore Police Force said its Cyber Command has been detecting and disabling accounts tied to […] The post Singapore disrupts 30,000…",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "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."
}