Offered help with S'pore PR applications? At least S$8.8 million lost to ICA impersonators & fake ads scams.

At least S$8.8 million has been lost to scams involving scammers pretending to be related to the Immigration and Checkpoints Authority (ICA) since January 2026.

The Singapore Police Force (SPF) and ICA issued a joint statement on Sep. 25 to remind members of the public to be wary of two distinct scam variants involving ICA.

At least 148 cases have been reported across the two scam variants involving scammers impersonating ICA and fraudulent advertisements offering assistance with permanent residency (PR) applications.

Calls from scammers impersonating ICA

In the first variant, ICA said the victims would receive unsolicited calls from scammers claiming to be from ICA.

The scammers would claim that the victim’s personal details has been misused, or that their phone numbers were used in criminal activities like sending scam messages, ICA said.

The call will then be transferred to another scammer, posing as a China official.

This "official" would demand a money transfer or cash for “investigation” or “bail” purposes.

In some cases, the victims are asked to meet up with an unknown individual to sign fake papers to help the supposed investigation appear more credible.

Most victims only realise they have been scammed after making multiple transfers or if the scammers become uncontactable.

At least 117 cases have been reported for this variant since January 2026, with at least S$8.4 million in losses, ICA stated.

Fraudulent advertisements offering assistance with PR applications

In the second variant, members of the public would come across advertisements on social media platforms like Facebook, offering to help them obtain PR status in Singapore, ICA said.

Clicking the link would then direct the victims to a fake website of a consultancy agent.

They would be asked to submit their personal details, such as their phone numbers, through a form.

The victims are then contacted by the scammers through WhatsApp, and are misled into paying fees ranging from S$200 to S$9,000 to proceed with the PR application.

ICA said victims are told this will improve their chances of success through investments in companies, purchases of academic certifications and donations.

Victims are then instructed to make bank transfers or to give cash to unknown individuals before receiving fraudulent emails, seemingly from ICA.

These emails would contain an attachment of a fake In-Principle Approval (IPA) letter bearing the ICA letterhead.

Victims only realise they have been scammed when they approach ICA to verify the authenticity of the IPA letters, ICA said.

At least 31 cases have been reported since January 2026, with losses amounting to at least S$400,000.

Advisory

ICA said they do not endorse services from commercial entities or consultants who claim to be able to help applicants improve their chances of obtaining long-term immigration facilities such as Singapore PR.

Members of the public are strongly encouraged to submit applications directly to ICA through their website.

Those who require assistance or wish for verification may contact ICA through their feedback form, or speak with their call agents at 6391 6100.

The authorities also reminded the public that Singapore government officials will not ask anyone to transfer or hand over money, luxury watches, gold or cryptocurrency, borrow from licensed moneylenders, share banking log-in details, install mobile apps from unverified app stores, or transfer calls to the police or other government officials.

"Do not trust unsolicited communications, even if the caller appears to have your personal information," the authorities said.

Members of the public are advised to take necessary precautions against scams.