Anti-scam efforts by MDDI

1. Blocking of commonly spoofed local numbers, robocalls, scam SMSes and scam-related links via SMS

• IMDA has partnered with telcos to implement a suite of anti-scam measures against scams coming through the telecommunication networks.

  • Since 2019, telcos have been blocking commonly spoofed local trusted numbers, such as emergency hotlines and government agencies. In addition, telcos have been blocking reported SMSes and scam links sent via SMS to Singapore users.

  • Since 2020, telcos have been blocking robocalls using pattern recognition technology.

2. Tightening of SIM card registration​

• IMDA, in consultation with SPF, has further limited the number of postpaid SIM cards each person can register, to a maximum of 10 across all telcos, with effect from 28 February 2026. This aims to minimise illicit SIM card use and purchases, whilst catering to the needs of legitimate users. This follows earlier tightening of SIM card limits:​

  • In April 2014, the maximum number of prepaid SIM cards for which a person could register was reduced from 10 across all the telcos to three. ​

  • In April 2024, the maximum number of postpaid SIM cards for which a person could register was first set at 10 per telco. ​

3. Self-help postpaid SIM card checker ​

• IMDA, in collaboration with GovTech, launched a self-help postpaid SIM card checker for the public to check their registered SIM cards included within the postpaid SIM card limit. A beta version was launched on 26 February 2026 at https://go.gov.sg/simcardhowmany.​

4. Offering subscribers the features to block all incoming international calls and SMSes

• As many of these scam calls/SMSes come from overseas, IMDA has worked with all telcos to offer subscribers the features to block all incoming calls and/or SMSes from international numbers on mobile and residential fixed lines.​

• To date, over 1.1 million subscribers have activated the feature to block overseas calls and over 270,000 subscribers have activated the feature to block overseas SMSes. Subscribers are encouraged to activate the features if they do not expect to receive any overseas calls or SMSes.

5. Proactive detection and blocking of local scam numbers

• To further protect the public against scam calls, IMDA has worked with telcos to enhance detection capabilities against suspected misuse of local mobile numbers. This led to the disruption of over 100,000 mobile lines since mid-2024.
  

Visit IMDA's website for details on their anti-scam measures.

1. Strengthening digital defence through the National Simulated Scams Exercise (NSSE)​

• The CSA, with the support of the Ministry of Home Affairs, will conduct a pilot run of the NSSE from 1 March to 31 August 2026. Through simulated scam calls in a safe environment, the participants will learn how scams typically work and learn practical steps to protect themselves.

• The NSSE is part of the Government’s public education effort to combat scams, and will focus on Government Official Impersonation Scams (GOIS), a key scam type of concern. The public is strongly encouraged to sign up for the NSSE.

2. Building a more secure mobile ecosystem through the Safe App Portal​

• In October 2025, CSA launched a six-month pilot for the Safe App Portal to strengthen the baseline security of mobile apps. The Portal is designed to help developers build more secure apps by addressing security weaknesses earlier in the development process. The Portal evaluates app safety and security risks in alignment with established industry standards, including those from the Open Web Application Security Project (OWASP), MITRE Corporation, and Android security guidelines. Following initial consultations with selected developers, the pilot phase now makes the Portal publicly available, allowing any developer to use the tool and provide feedback. ​

3. Cybersecurity education and public awareness efforts​

• The sixth National Cybersecurity Campaign, “Stop and Check” was launched on 13 September 2025. Fronting the campaign is the new national mascot - Jaga, the Cybersecurity Hedgehog. Jaga urges members of public to pause, stop and check with official sources, family and friends before acting on unsolicited messages and requests. ​

• The campaign also highlight the importance of cybersecurity practices, i.e. installing anti-virus apps and updating software promptly, and is supported through roadshows, corporate partnerships and multi-channel media platforms.

4. Enhanced Fraud Protection with Google ​

• In February 2024, CSA partnered Google on a pilot for Enhanced Fraud Protection (EFP) within Google Play Protect in Singapore. This feature automatically blocks the installation of potentially malicious apps that use sensitive runtime permissions. As of February 2026, the EFP feature has successfully blocked 2.9 million installation attempts of potentially malicious applications across 685,000 devices. This prevented more than 56,600 unique apps from potentially being misused for financial fraud and scams. This feature is now being rolled out in other countries by Google, protecting citizens beyond Singapore.​

Visit CSA's website for details on their anti-scam measures.

1. SATIS suite of scam detection tools to support SPF’s investigations​

• Co-developed with the Singapore Police Force (SPF) and the Home Team Science and Technology Agency (HTX), the Scam Analytics and Tactical Intervention System (SATIS) leverages artificial intelligence and machine learning – including GovTech Singapore’s in-house recursive Machine-learning Scam Evaluation (rMSE) classifier – to help SPF prioritise, evaluate, and disrupt scam sites. SATIS enables the authorities to analyse over 400,000 websites daily and disrupts more than 15,000 malicious websites monthly. It also employs advanced techniques to discover additional scam websites based on previously blocked sites.​

• SATIS also fans out to find more scam websites based on previously blocked sites. The detection and disruption of these subset of sites are completely automated, relying on AI and ML to identify the malicious sites which are then sent to Google Web Risk for disruption.​

• Additional capabilities have been added to the SATIS suite to strengthen SPF’s investigative work against other scam enablers. These include tools to evaluate and disrupt scam-related online monikers (e.g., accounts on Facebook, WhatsApp, Telegram, Carousell), payment channels such as bank accounts and phone numbers.​

2. Partnering with Global Signals Exchange to strengthen scam disruption worldwide​

• GovTech Singapore is the first government agency to join the Global Signal Exchange (GSE), a platform that allows member organisations to rapidly share information for scam disruption. In partnership with the SPF, GovTech Singapore sends scam signals, including scam-tainted websites, through the GSE to strengthen overall scam detection and disruption efforts.​

3. Strengthening Anti-Fraud Capabilities to Protect Singpass Accounts​

• GovTech Singapore enhanced Singpass’ anti-fraud capabilities by using advanced machine learning (ML) models to detect suspicious activities, resulting in 200 suspicious account escalations to SPF in the first two months and the termination of over 4,600 fraudulently created financial accounts in 2025. ​

• GovTech Singapore’s collaboration with the police helped victims of government officials impersonation scams recover $200,000, and supported wider law enforcement efforts including investigations into 32 suspicious Singpass accounts, six arrests for illegal Singpass account sales, and 46 arrests in government impersonation and investment scam operations.

4. Analytics on SIM registrations data ​

• GovTech Singapore collaborated with the Infocomm Media Development Authority (IMDA) on the tech stack enabling the 10 postpaid SIM card limit, including SimCardHowMany (https://go.gov.sg/simcardhowmany), enabling members of the public to easily check SIM cards registered under their name. The Government will apply analytics to SIM card registration data from the telcos, within strict legal safeguards, to more proactively detect and disrupt potential scam activities. ​

Visit GovTech's website for details on their anti-scam measures.​

1. Single SMS Sender ID gov.sg for all government agencies

• Since 1 July 2024, the Singapore Government has implemented a single SMS Sender ID, 'gov.sg', for all government agencies. The change aims to help the public easily identify genuine government SMS communications and protect against government officials impersonation scams. To date, 289 million SMSes have been sent out and 93% of the public recognise the gov.sg SMS channel. Since its implementation, there have been zero scam SMSes sent from the gov.sg Sender ID.​

2. ScamShield App

• The Government has continued to expand the capabilities of the ScamShield app. In August 2025, push notifications were introduced to close the feedback loop for users. When a number a user has reported is verified as a scam by the authorities, they will receive a push notification from ScamShield if they have notifications enabled. ​ This process strengthens trust in the reporting process and reinforces transparency, as well as closes the feedback loop and lets them know their report has been acted on. In addition, users can now submit reports for suspicious emails they receive through the ScamShield app by following in-app instructions.

• Since the launch of the enhanced ScamShield app in August 2024, the app’s user base has grown by 61.8%, from 944,000 to 1.53 million users. 2.11 million checks were performed using the “Check for Scams” feature and 832,000 reports were received using the “Report a Scam” feature. The app is rated an average of 4.67/5 for in-app satisfaction.​

3. ‘Unpacked’ mobile immersive scam simulation​

• OGP created ‘Unpacked’, an immersive, mobile-first simulation that lets users experience a scam firsthand to better understand how it unfolds. Built during OGP's Hack for Public Good 2025, ‘Unpacked’ walks users through a realistic government officials impersonation scam, beginning with a phone call from someone claiming to be the police. Since its inception in February 2025, ‘Unpacked’ has hosted more than 15,924 unique visitors.​

4. Community Roadshows​

• OGP participated in several community roadshows to raise awareness of ScamShield and encourage members of the public to set up the app and use it to report scams. In November 2025, OGP took part in the Digital for Life Festival, jointly organised by MDDI and IMDA, which saw at least 200 new app downloads and at least 400 new users setting up their call blocking and SMS filtering permissions. OGP also participated in the We Can Act Against Scams Roadshow, organised by MHA and WOG agencies, which saw at least 400 new app downloads.​

• In December 2025, OGP conducted a bilingual ScamShield sharing session for elderly residents at Tanjong Pagar CC, educating seniors on the importance of ScamShield and how to identify common scams impersonating government officials.​

Visit OGP’s website for details on their anti-scam measures.​