Caning the conmen: Singapore gets tough on scammers under new law

SINGAPORE: In an unprecedented step to combat the soaring wave of online and financial scams, Singapore has passed a landmark law introducing caning as a punishment for convicted scammers. Approved in Parliament on Tuesday (Nov 4), the legislation marks one of the toughest anti-fraud crackdowns anywhere in the world, as the city-state grapples with crimes that have cost victims billions.

Financial fraud has surged dramatically in recent years. Since 2020, victims have lost around S$3.8 billion (US$2.9 billion), with a record S$1.1 billion disappearing in 2024 alone, according to police data.

Harsh penalties for scammers and their accomplices

With the recent law, swindlers, defrauders, and organised crime members will be confronted with compulsory caning of at least six lashes, with the biggest offenders getting up to 24 blows. Those who act as “scam mules”—individuals who knowingly help move or conceal illicit funds—may also face up to 12 strokes, depending on the court’s decision.

“Scams are by far the most prevalent crime type in Singapore today,” said Sim Ann, Senior Minister of State for Home Affairs, during the parliamentary debate. “They make up 60% of all reported crimes.”

Caning has long been part of Singapore’s tough justice system, typically applied to crimes such as vandalism, robbery, and serious sexual offences. Extending it to financial fraud represents a new frontier in the nation’s zero-tolerance approach to crime.

A multi-layered defence against financial fraud

Introducing corporal punishment is just a fragment of a more comprehensive move to take tough action on rip-offs and cons.

Monetary establishments and financial institutions have also been given a tough directive to be very strict with their monitoring structures, curb access to online services for persons of interest and identified criminal personalities, and to work meticulously with enforcement authorities in tracing and freezing suspicious assets and funds.

This newest initiative highlights the Lion City’s resolve to shield its residents and maintain its status as one of the most secure and reliable financial centres in the world—even as digital-age lawbreaking evolves in intricacy and magnitude.