S'pore to hold scam exercise where people get calls simulating scammers impersonating govt officials

The public will get to experience how scams work and learn to protect themselves in the first National Simulated Scams Exercise.

Open to volunteers, this new initiative was announced by Josephine Teo, the Minister for Digital Development and Information, at the Exercise SG Ready and Total Defence Commemoration Event on Feb. 1.

Registration begins on Feb. 1, and the exercise will run from Mar. 1 to Aug. 31.

How it works

Participants will be subjected to simulated scam attempts in a safe environment.

They will receive robocalls simulating tactics used by scammers impersonating government officials at any time during the six months the exercise is on.

At the end of the exercise, participants will gain a better understanding of how scams typically work and learn steps to protect themselves.

The Cyber Security of Singapore (CSA) will also work with public service agencies to extend the exercise to employees and members.

"We hope this exercise helps you build new muscles, to guard against scammers and protect yourself better," Teo said.

Exercise SG Ready 2026

As part of the launch of Exercise SG Ready, the Public Warning System signal was broadcast across Singapore at 3pm.

Following the signal, Coordinating Minister for National Security, K Shanmugam, read the Total Defence message, which was broadcast across all local radio stations and free-to-air TV channels.

In his message, Shanmugam reminded Singaporeans that critical infrastructure came under cyberattack in 2025, and foreign parties also tried to divide the community and undermine trust in the government.

He called on all Singaporeans to play their part in Total Defence by participating in the exercise to prepare for disruptions caused by evolving threats.

1,000 entities involved

From Feb. 1 to 15, more than 1,000 organisations, schools, and units across the education, business, community, and government sectors will conduct activities as part of Exercise SG Ready.

On Feb. 1, several participating organisations will simulate a disruption to e-services by placing non-emergency apps in maintenance mode for one hour at 3pm on Feb. 1.

Multiple organisations will display a message on their websites to remind users to be prepared for such disruptions.

More than 35 buildings, such as the National University of Singapore, National Gallery Singapore and Marina Square, will switch off their facade lights to simulate a prolonged power disruption on Feb. 1.

A pilot Community Mobilisation activity was also conducted at two Housing and Development Board (HDB) blocks, simulating a prolonged power outage and disrupted digital connectivity.

Total Defence Champions and the PA's Community Emergency Response Team were activated to reach out to those in need, approaching households to relay key information and educate residents on what to do during disruptions.

"Staying prepared is a shared responsibility... Together with our SAF and Home Team safeguarding Singapore against external threats, everyone has a part to play in Total Defence, to make Singapore safer and more resilient," said Teo.

Top photos via Rafael See Toh/Mothership & Canva