Cybersecurity and Scam Prevention
How GovTech is Leading Singapore's Fight Against Scams
25 June 2024
How is GovTech using tech tools like SATIS, rMSE and ScamShield to protect Singaporeans from evolving scam threats?
Scams are a persistent threat worldwide, and Singapore is no exception.
Recent reports by the Singapore Police Force (SPF) indicate a troubling rise in scam cases, with a staggering 47% increase from 2022 to 2023. This highlights the urgent need for effective anti-scam measures.
Why are Scams Still on the Rise?
One of the biggest challenges in combating online scams is their ever-evolving nature. Scammers constantly adapt their tactics, making it crucial for anti-scam efforts to be equally dynamic.
As Mr. Mark Chen, Principal Product Manager, Anti-Scam Products at GovTech, aptly points out, "It's not a one-time fix. The scammers will react quickly and develop evasion techniques." This underscores the need for continuous vigilance and improvement.
With that said, here’s what we’ve been doing from the forefront on the war of scams:
Scam Analytics and Tactical Intervention System (SATIS)
A collaboration between GovTech, the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA), and the SPF, SATIS is an advanced system that builds upon the success of PhishMonSG – an earlier tool.
SATIS actively hunts for and disrupts scam sites, extending its reach beyond government websites to include phishing attempts by banks, malware-hosting sites, and those used in impersonation scams.
For instance, GovTech recently identified a spoofed SPF website which mimicked the official URL but redirected users to a malicious site.
To further strengthen SATIS’ reach, we partnered with Google to leverage their Web Risk feature. This feature blocks reported scam websites on popular browsers like Chrome, Firefox, and Safari, preventing users from accessing them. So far, GovTech has successfully disrupted over 16,000 potentially harmful sites.
Recursive Machine-Learning Site Evaluator (rMSE)
Developed in collaboration with the SPF and the Cyber Security Agency of Singapore, rMSE is a powerful software tool that can assess hundreds of thousands of suspicious websites daily with over 90% precision. It does this by analyzing elements like URLs and logos, comparing them against authentic sources to identify potential scams.
This enables us to detect, analyse, and disrupt scam sites swiftly and accurately, significantly scaling up Singapore's anti-scam efforts.
ScamShield App
Developed by Open Government Products under GovTech, the ScamShield app is a user-friendly mobile application that safeguards users from scam calls.
It works by cross-referencing unknown numbers with a database maintained by the SPF. Numbers flagged as being linked to scams are automatically blocked. Additionally, ScamShield employs an on-device algorithm to analyse incoming messages and identify potential scams.
The team also created the ScamShield Bot, designed to simplify scam reporting. Users can simply forward suspicious messages received on platforms like WhatsApp to the bot, which then reports them to the SPF.
Stay Informed, Stay Safe
By harnessing the power of technology, GovTech is making significant strides in safeguarding Singapore's citizens from the ever-present threat of scams.
Yet, while we lead the battle against scams, what will really, really move the needle is an educated citizenry. So, arm yourselves with knowledge and stay vigilant!
One way you can do so is by subscribing to our TechNews Newsletter, you'll receive regular updates on the latest scams and how to avoid them.
Hopefully, with a combination of our tools and your informed awareness, we can create a safer digital space for everyone in Singapore.