Scammers value local phone lines to gain victims' trust, scam mules to face banking, phone service restrictions

To counter the facilitation of scams, Singapore will restrict the access of banking and phone services for people found or under investigation on suspicion of being scam mules.

The Singapore Police Force (SPF), Monetary Authority of Singapore (MAS), Infocomm Media Development Authority (IMDA), and Government Technology Agency of Singapore (GovTech Singapore) will work together with industry partners to carry out the measures, announced in a joint news release on Sep. 17.

Implemented in phases from October 2025, the restrictions can be applied to people who have been warned, issued with composition sums, prosecuted, or convicted of mule-related offences.

They may also apply to anyone under investigation for mule-related offences and are assessed to be likely to further facilitate scams.

Affected mules will be notified by the police, and will be able to make an appeal against the restrictions.

Over S$450 million lost in scams

The police and government expressed serious concern about the high number of scam cases.

In the first half of 2025, 19,665 scam cases reported, with losses amounting to S$456.4 million.

Among all scam types, government officials impersonation scams accounted for the second highest loss during this period.

The number of such impersonation scams reported was nearly three times those reported during the same period in 2024, up from 589 to 1,762 cases, according to the SPF's mid-year brief.

Also over the first half of the year, more than 3,500 money mules and scammers suspected to be involved in scam cases were investigated, with over 500 charged by the police so far.

Many mules have facilitated scams more than once.

Repeat mule offenders were responsible for letting over 11,000 phone lines be used for scams so far in 2025.

Even while under investigation, some mules were caught continuing to apply for new phone lines and sell them to scammers.

There has also been an increase in scam phone lines registered by corporate entities, the police observed.

Stronger action against mules

The police and government highlighted that local mules looking to make easy and quick money would often allow scammers or scam syndicates to use their bank accounts, local phone lines, and Singpass or Corppass (Singapore Corporate Access) services.

Scammers use mule bank accounts to move scam money between different banks or out of the country, and use local phone lines to arouse less suspicion when contacting potential victims.

The first phase of the restrictions will target access to these two options.

The later phase will restrict access to Singpass and Corppass accounts, which scammers can use to register for services such as opening a bank account.

These measures aim to prevent mules who have already assisted scammers from easily gaining access to services that could facilitate yet more scams.

Affected scam mules and those under investigation for scam offences will be notified by the SPF.

The SPF themselves will handle appeals against such restrictions.