Scam prevention

Scam prevention is a critical aspect of navigating today's digital landscape. As online interactions become increasingly prevalent, so does the risk of encountering sophisticated scams designed to deceive and defraud individuals.

GovTech is committed to empowering Singaporeans with robust scam prevention solutions aimed at safeguarding everyone from pervasive online threats. Our focus includes providing tools and resources to effectively prevent phishing attempts and identify website fraud detection mechanisms, ultimately protecting citizens from falling victim to scam website detector schemes and other malicious online activities.

First government agency to join the GSE

GovTech is the first government agency to join the Global Signal Exchange (GSE) — the world’s first global, multi-stakeholder and cross-sector clearing house for sharing abuse data and related information (called ‘signals’). By joining the GSE, GovTech, in partnership with the Singapore Police Force (SPF), send scam signals — including scam-tainted websites — through the GSE to strengthen detection and disruption efforts.

It has also facilitated tighter industry collaboration with organisations like Google, Microsoft, Meta and Amazon to tackle scams at scale. For e.g., our signals have enabled Meta to uncover an additional 47,000 malicious assets across Meta’s platforms.

Top scam types in Singapore

In 2025, the number of scam cases fell by 27.6% — from 51,501 in 2024 to 37,308 in 2025 — bucking the trend of increases over the past few years. The amount lost to scams also fell, by 17.9% to about $913.1 million in 2025, from about $1,112.4 million in 2024.

While the decreases suggest that our anti-scam measures have made it more challenging for scammers to succeed, we must remain up to date on the types of scams in Singapore, and their new tactics.

A scam type that doubled in number of cases in 2025 is Government Officials Impersonation Scams. Victims would receive unsolicited phone calls or in-app calls (e.g. WhatsApp video call) allegedly from government agencies such as SPF or the Ministry of Manpower (MOM). The scammers would claim that there were issues with the victim’s bank accounts and required additional verification. Victims would then be asked to provide their banking or personal information such as banking credentials and One-Time Passwords (OTPs) to resolve these issues.

These scams highlight the need to be continually proactive, enhance scam prevention measures and create greater public awareness to combat these evolving deceptions.

How to protect citizens’ online security

While scams are becoming increasingly sophisticated, our defences are also evolving. GovTech is committed to providing cutting-edge scam prevention solutions that not only detect and prevent phishing but also actively combat a wide range of online threats, ensuring a safer digital environment for all. By leveraging advanced technologies like Artificial Intelligence (AI), our tools actively identify and neutralise fraudulent activities, including sophisticated scam website detector schemes.

Here’s a closer look at our key scam prevention solutions:

Scam Analytics and Tactical Intervention System (SATIS)

• Suite of scam detection tools powered by (AI) and machine learning (ML).

• Aids SPF in combating scam enablers such as websites, online monikers (social media or e-commerce platforms) and payment channels.

• Utilises rMSE, an in-house AI classifier, to evaluate over 400,000 websites daily for potential scams.

• Achieves <0.1% false positives through human-machine verification.

• Benefits from citizen reporting of suspicious sites via ScamShield.

• Disrupts scam websites, often displaying warnings from Google and/or SPF.

SimCardHowMany

• Developed the tech stack that includes SimCardHowMany in collaboration with the Infocomm Media Development Authority (IMDA) to enable the limit of 10 postpaid SIM card per person.

• Aimed to minimise the illicit purchase of SIM cards that scammers can abuse.

• Self-help postpaid SIM card checker that enables citizens to check SIM cards registered under their name.

• Analytics will be applied to SIM registration data to proactively disrupt suspicious sign-ups.

ScamShield

• A comprehensive scam prevention tool empowering citizens to check, block, and report potential scams.

• Offers a 24/7 helpline (1799), mobile app, website, and social media channels (WhatsApp and Telegram).

• Blacklisted and blocked over 120,000 scam entities since 2022.

Risks of online scams

The proliferation of online scams in Singapore presents significant risks beyond mere financial losses. Victims often suffer emotional distress, reputational damage, and the compromise of sensitive personal data, which can be exploited for further malicious activities. The evolving sophistication of these scams, including AI-powered deceptions and social engineering tactics, makes detection increasingly challenging. 

Effective online scam prevention is, therefore, critical in Singapore to safeguard individuals, maintain trust in the digital ecosystem, and protect the nation's overall cybersecurity posture. Failure to address this growing threat can undermine public confidence in online services and hinder Singapore's Smart Nation ambitions.

GovTech’s scam prevention solutions

SATIS, SimCardHowMany and ScamShield provide a multi-layered defence against online scams in Singapore. SATIS and SimCardHowMany works behind the scenes to proactively detect and disrupt scam enablers at the ecosystem level. ScamShield, an end-user tool, identifies and blocks scam calls, messages, and links in real-time. By leveraging AI and data analytics from different angles, they form a coordinated approach to enhance scam prevention and online safety for Singaporeans.

Explore our scam prevention solutions

Scam Analytics and Tactical Intervention System (SATIS)

Explore how the Scam Analytics and Tactical Intervention System hunts, analyses and disrupts scam websites in the entire World Wide Web.

ScamShield

Discover how ScamShield helps citizens check for scams, block and filter scams, and report potential scams.

Key features of SATIS

What is SATIS

SATIS is a suite of scam detection tools that leverages artificial intelligence and machine learning. It is used by the Singapore Police Force to detect, analyse, and disrupt malicious websites and online scam infrastructure at an ecosystem level.

How SATIS protects users

SATIS employs an AI classifier (rMSE) to continuously scan over 400,000 websites daily for scam indicators. Detected malicious sites are blocked or display warnings, preventing user access.

Proactive threat neutralisation

SATIS actively works to disrupt scam operations by facilitating the blocking of identified malicious websites or displaying warnings through collaborations with entities like Google and the SPF.

Precision in detection

SATIS combines AI analysis with human verification to achieve a high accuracy rate (<0.1% false positives) in identifying scam websites, ensuring reliable threat detection.

Additional Capabilities

Additional tools to evaluate and disrupt scam-related online monikers (e.g., accounts on Facebook, WhatsApp, Telegram, Carousell), payment channels such as bank accounts and phone numbers were added to SATIS, strengthening SPF's investigative work.

Key features of ScamShield

What is ScamShield

ScamShield is a user-friendly mobile app and resource suite (helpline, website, social channels) empowering individuals to easily identify, block, and report scams across various platforms.

How ScamShield protects users

ScamShield employs AI to analyse calls and messages, filtering likely scams. Users can report suspicious activity, contributing to a community-driven database that enhances detection and warns others.

Community-powered defence

Users actively report potential scams via ScamShield, creating a valuable crowdsourced database that improves the system's ability to identify emerging threats and warn the wider community.

Multi-channel accessibility

ScamShield offers support across multiple channels: a 24/7 helpline, a mobile app, a website, and social media platforms, ensuring accessible help and reporting options.

Real-world use cases

GovTech's scam prevention solutions are actively deployed to protect Singaporeans from online fraud. SATIS proactively detects and disrupts phishing scams by using its AI to identify malicious websites that steal login credentials, preventing countless users from becoming victims. In 2025, our technology helped SPF disrupts:

• over 87,700 WhatsApp lines

• over 115,800 mobile lines

• over 48,000 online monikers and advertisements

• over 76,000 websites, the majority of which were scam related

We further blocked over 90,000 websites through industry partnerships.

ScamShield empowers citizens to participate in scam prevention by enabling users to easily report suspicious messages and calls through the mobile application. This facilitates a community-powered defense, with 94,489 users having submitted a report at least once as of August 2024, showcasing the app's role in engaging the public for collective protection.

How to use ScamShield

Here's how you can effectively use ScamShield to protect yourself:

1. Download the ScamShield app: The ScamShield app is your primary tool. Use it to detect and filter suspicious calls, websites, and messages, thanks to its enhanced blocking capabilities.

2. Visit the ScamShield website: Go to the ScamShield website for the latest updates on prevalent scams, practical tips on how to avoid getting scammed online, and live chat support.

3. Call the 1799 ScamShield helpline: For urgent situations or immediate, personalised support, call the 24/7 ScamShield helpline. Trained personnel can help you verify potential scams and guide you on the appropriate actions..

4. Subscribe to ScamShield alert social channels: Subscribe to the official ScamShield WhatsApp and Telegram channels for timely alerts and the latest scam trends.

Here's what to expect when using ScamShield:

• App usage: The app actively filters calls and messages. Suspected scams may be blocked or flagged; always exercise caution.

• Reporting: Reported data improves detection and warns others; your privacy is secure.

• Website interaction: Use live chat for specific queries or new scam types. The website provides general guidance.

• Helpline assistance: The helpline offers immediate support for verifying suspicious communications and urgent advice.

How to use SATIS

SATIS works in the background to protect you from scam websites. Here's how you can help maximise its effectiveness:

1. Contribute by reporting: Enhance SATIS's capabilities by reporting any suspicious web activity you encounter using the ScamShield app.

2. Look out for sites disrupted by SATIS: If you land on a website disrupted by SATIS, you might see:

   • A red warning screen from Google.

   • A warning message from the SPF.

   • A disconnected site (e.g., a 404 error).

   • Important: If a scammer attempts to redirect you to a different link after you encounter a disrupted site, do not engage with them.

Here's what to expect when using SATIS:

• Automatic protection: SATIS operates automatically in the background, analysing websites without requiring direct user interaction.

• Reporting's impact: Reporting suspicious web activity through ScamShield helps SATIS identify and block more scam sites, protecting yourself and others.

• Encountering disrupted sites: If you encounter a warning or error page, it indicates that SATIS has intervened to protect you from a potentially harmful website.

• Caution after disruption: Be wary of any attempts by scammers to redirect you to alternative links, as these are likely further attempts to deceive you.

How to avoid getting scammed online

Protecting yourself online is essential. Follow these simple steps to stay safe:

• Be wary of unsolicited messages: Never click on links or open attachments from unknown or suspicious sources.

• Verify sender identity: Always double-check who sent a message or email. Scammers often impersonate trusted organisations.

• Don't rush: Scammers often create a sense of urgency. Take your time to think before providing any personal or financial information.

• Use strong passwords: Create unique and complex passwords for all your online accounts, and don't reuse them.

• Keep software updated: Ensure your devices and apps are up-to-date with the latest security patches.

• Report suspicious activity: If you encounter a potential scam, report it to the authorities and the platform where you saw it.

Start protecting yourself online today

By combining GovTech's proactive solutions like SATIS and ScamShield with your own vigilance and awareness, you can significantly enhance your online safety. This collaborative approach is crucial to strengthening scam prevention and overall cybersecurity in Singapore. Stay informed, utilise the available tools, and adopt safe online habits to navigate the digital world with confidence and security.

Frequently asked questions about online scam prevention

How can I report a scam I encountered?

You can report scams using the ScamShield app. This helps improve the app's detection capabilities and warns other users.

Are our scam initaitives effective against phishing and website fraud?

SATIS and SimCardHowMany works behind the scenes to proactively detect and disrupt scam enablers at the ecosystem level, while ScamShield filters suspicious calls and messages, showing how it helps to prevent phishing attempts.

How can I stay updated on the latest scam prevention tips and tools?

Visit the ScamShield website for scam prevention updates, tips, and live chat assistance. You can also subscribe to the ScamShield WhatsApp and Telegram channels for timely alerts.

Are there any costs associated with using ScamShield?

ScamShield is free for public use, provided by the government to help protect citizens from scams.