Digital crimes are on the rise in Singapore
The prevalence of such crimes has led the Singapore Police Force to highlight scams as the crime of concern, especially given the size of the losses incurred by such swindles. 2021 saw the highest rate of crimes committed in Singapore in a decade, due to the increase in crimes involving fraud and scams. In that year, scams involving employment were the most reported type of scams, surpassing e-commerce scams. Typically, such scammers would entice their victims through bogus job advertisements on social media platforms, promising lucrative commissions for jobs that involve little effort. However, to receive their supposed commissions, victims would first have to pay a fee, usually through digital payment methods.The increased use of digital technology, especially during the COVID-19 pandemic, has led to a marked rise in cybercrime in Singapore. It is now easier than ever for unscrupulous characters to hide behind the relative anonymity of online communication for criminal gains. A majority of Singapore’s leading scams take place online, whether through messaging apps, e-commerce platforms, or social media. The increased sophistication of online crimes, sometimes involving fake mobile applications, websites, or e-mail communication that are difficult to spot, highlights the need for greater digital literacy and awareness among both the lay population and law enforcement in Singapore.
