Singapore launches 24-hour anti-scam hotline

The fresh anti-scam collection includes renaming the existing NCPC ScamAlert programmes to ScamShield Alert in addition to the new ScamShield site. &nbsp,

The existing stations now have over 35, 000 members on WhatsApp and Telegram. &nbsp,

These programs will continue to send out scam-related cautions and bite-sized updates often, keeping subscribers informed of the newest scams and sharing ways to protect yourself from scams. &nbsp,

The Scamshield Suite combines the various anti-scam activities and programmes under one title.

K Shanmugam, the head of the laws and home affairs ministry, spoke about the transforming criminal environment in Singapore at the NCPC dinner dinner on Friday, the day before ScamShield Suite was officially launched.

Scams and crime have increased, he said, while real crime has remained persistently low for years. &nbsp,

MORE SCAM VICTIMS

A total of 26, 587 fraud cases were reported in the first quarter of 2024- a 16.3 per cent increase compared to the exact time period last season- with at least S$ 385.6 million ( US$ 295 million ) lost&nbsp, –&nbsp, a 24.6 per cent increase.

Students, young people and individuals under the age of 50 make up the majority of fraud victims at 74.2 per share.

However, among the age groups, the ordinary lost to a victim was the highest.

The state also said that&nbsp, 86 per cent of overall reported schemes in the first quarter of 2024 had involved mainly self-effected payments. &nbsp,

This may be the result of social engineering and deception, which involve a variety of sophisticated fraud schemes, it added. &nbsp,

SPF, NCPC, and OGP stressed that individuals may continue to contribute to strengthening their resilience against frauds. &nbsp,

We urge the general public to make active use of the ScamShield Suite of resources to protect themselves and their loved ones from con challenges.