{
  "id": 8713904,
  "title": "Phishing scams using S’pore police logo re-emerging, public warned",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/20/phishing-scams-using-spore-police-logo-re-emerging-public-warned",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-09-20T15:31:35.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Straits Times",
    "slug": "straits-times",
    "url": "https://www.straitstimes.com/singapore/phishing-scams-using-spore-police-logo-re-emerging-public-warned"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Singapore residents are being warned about a resurgence of phishing scams that mimic the Singapore Police Force's (SPF) logo. According to a police statement on September 20, victims receive fake alerts that claim their devices have been \"locked\" due to repeated access to websites containing illegal content. The messages demand payment of fines within hours to unlock the devices, with a countdown timer added to create a sense of urgency. The police assert they do not lock devices or demand payment via such pop-up alerts. They advise checking with the ScamShield Helpline at 1799 if in doubt. Victims often discover they've been scammed when unauthorized foreign transactions appear on their bank statements, frequently exceeding the fines claimed in the fraudulent messages.",
  "summary": "Fraudulent alerts warn illegal websites visited and demand users pay fines to get devices unlocked.",
  "key_points": [
    "Singapore residents warned about phishing scams mimicking SPF logo",
    "Fake alerts claim devices locked due to illegal website access",
    "Police advise checking ScamShield Helpline at 1799 if suspicious"
  ],
  "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."
}