GovTech Launches AntiScam Pango Beta to Help Users Spot Suspicious Scam Messages

The Government Technology Agency of Singapore (GovTech Singapore) today announced the beta launch of AntiScam Pango, a new mobile application that helps users identify suspicious looking messages and make more informed decisions before responding. 

Announced by Jasmin Lau, Acting Minister for Manpower, Senior Minister of State for Digital Development and Information and Minister-in-charge of GovTech Singapore, at STACK Conference 2026, the app is now available on the Google Play Store for Android users. 

As scammers continue to adapt their tactics, fraudulent messages can be increasingly difficult to recognise. AntiScam Pango provides users with an additional layer of protection by analysing incoming messages and alerting them when a conversation exhibits characteristics commonly associated with scams. 

How AntiScam Pango Works

Once users grant the necessary permissions, AntiScam Pango runs in the background and analyses incoming message notifications from supported messaging applications, including WhatsApp, Telegram and SMS. Messages from the same sender are chained together to form a conversation, allowing AntiScam Pango to detect scams that unfold over time. 

When AntiScam Pango detects a suspicious looking conversation, it alerts the users and provides information explaining why the conversation may be risky. Users can then decide whether to continue the conversation, report it, or take other precautions such as verifying the sender independently before responding.

The app cannot automatically block or delete messages, and users are in control of how they respond. To safeguard user privacy, all message and conversation analysis takes place directly on the device. Message content is not sent to external servers unless users choose to report it. 

Strengthening scam detection with Singapore-relevant AI 

AntiScam Pango's AI model has been trained using scam patterns and scenarios relevant to Singapore, helping the app recognise tactics commonly used to target local users.

AntiScam Pango's AI capabilities are supported by a collaboration between GovTech Singapore and Google DeepMind. This collaboration combines GovTech's understanding of Singapore's scam landscape with Google DeepMind’s AI expertise to strengthen the app’s ability to detect sophisticated scam tactics.

Mark Chen, Director, Trust and Safety, GovTech Singapore said: “With AntiScam Pango, we want to show people that they do not have to choose between protection from scams and keeping their personal messages private. Our collaboration with Google DeepMind is pushing the boundaries of what small AI models can do to deliver both. This beta launch is an important next step, allowing us to learn from real-world use cases and user feedback, so that we can continually improve how we protect Singaporeans against evolving scam tactics.”

Complementing Existing Anti-Scam Measures

AntiScam Pango complements existing anti-scam measures such as ScamShield, which helps users block scam calls, filter suspicious SMS messages, and check or report potentially fraudulent messages, numbers and links. While ScamShield provides these capabilities, AntiScam Pango offers an additional layer of protection by proactively identifying suspicious conversations across messaging platforms as they arrive, including those from numbers that may not have been previously flagged. Together, both apps provide complementary capabilities and users are encouraged to use both apps for more comprehensive protection against scams. 

Looking ahead, GovTech Singapore will explore opportunities to integrate AntiScam Pango's capabilities with ScamShield as the product matures, strengthening protection against scams and providing a more seamless user experience. 

GovTech Singapore will continue to improve AntiScam Pango, including further collaboration with Google Deepmind, during its beta phase. GovTech Singapore will also explore opportunities to extend and strengthen on-device scam detection through collaboration with technology and industry partners. 

More information is available at pango.gov.sg (opens in new tab).

Issued by the Communications and Marketing Group
Government Technology Agency of Singapore

For media enquiries, please contact:
GovTech Corporate Communications

Email: media@tech.gov.sg

About the Government Technology Agency of Singapore

The Government Technology Agency of Singapore (GovTech Singapore) is the lead agency driving the nation’s Smart Nation initiative and public sector digital transformation.

GovTech Singapore builds tech for public good to improve the lives of Singaporeans, while supporting public agencies in delivering digital services and managing enterprise IT operations. The agency also oversees and safeguards government ICT infrastructure, and regulates public sector ICT procurement, data protection, and cybersecurity.

GovTech Singapore is a statutory board under the Ministry of Digital Development and Information.

For more information, please visit https://www.tech.gov.sg/. (opens in new tab)  

Annexes

AntiScam Pango Beta Factsheet [PDF, 604.93 KB] (opens in new tab)