Global: Singapore Moves to Block Banking and Mobile Access for Convicted Scammers

Singapore is set to tighten its crackdown on financial crime by introducing sweeping restrictions on convicted scammers, barring them from accessing critical services such as banking, telecommunications, and Singpass/Corppass digital platforms.

The measures—announced jointly by the Singapore Police Force (SPF), Monetary Authority of Singapore (MAS), Infocomm Media Development Authority (IMDA), and GovTech—are aimed at cutting off the key facilities scammers exploit to operate.

Official data shows that in the first half of 2025 alone, 19,665 scam cases were reported in Singapore, leading to losses of $456.4 million. Authorities note that scammers often acquire local bank accounts and telephone lines from individuals looking for quick financial gain. Alarmingly, 15% of subscribers linked to scam-related phone lines in 2025 were repeat mule offenders, accounting for more than 11,000 lines.

The new restrictions will apply retrospectively to individuals previously dealt with for mule-related offences, as well as those currently under investigation. Beyond the loss of access to banking and telecoms services, repeat offenders will face harsher judicial penalties, including imprisonment.

Authorities say the measures mark a decisive step in strengthening Singapore’s resilience against scams while deterring repeat offenders from re-entering the fraud ecosystem.