Fake Police Scams in Singapore
How scammers impersonate Singapore Police Force officers and government officials to extort payments from residents under threat of arrest or legal proceedings.
Part of: Fake Police Scams
Last reviewed: 1 June 2026
Impersonation of the Singapore Police Force (SPF), Central Narcotics Bureau (CNB), and Monetary Authority of Singapore (MAS) is among the most reported fraud types in Singapore. The 'government official scam' category has resulted in significant financial losses, with the SPF issuing specific advisories and maintaining a dedicated Anti-Scam Command (ASC).
The scam exploits Singapore's high compliance culture and trust in government institutions, with victims sometimes staying on calls for hours or days out of fear of legal consequences.
How this scam works on Singapore
A victim receives a call from someone claiming to be an SPF officer or CNB agent, stating their identity card, bank account, or phone number is linked to criminal activity — drug trafficking, money laundering, or a financial crime investigation. The call is transferred to a 'senior officer' or 'MAS investigator' via video call.
The victim is placed under 'official secrecy orders' — told not to tell family or friends — and instructed to transfer funds to a 'safe account' to assist the investigation and protect their assets. Some variants keep victims on calls for multiple days, monitoring their movements and preventing outside contact.
Other forms send official-looking letters with SPF or MAS logos demanding payment of fines or bond deposits to avoid formal proceedings.
Common red flags
- Unsolicited call from someone claiming to be an SPF or CNB officer about criminal activity
- Transfer to a video call with uniformed officials in a staged government office setting
- 'Official secrecy order' instructing you not to tell family or friends about the call
- Instruction to transfer funds to a 'safe account' to protect them during an investigation
- Caller ID showing a government agency number — numbers are easily spoofed
How to protect yourself
- The SPF does not instruct members of the public to transfer funds over the phone
- Hang up and call the SPF directly at 1800-255-0000 to verify any official claim
- Tell a trusted family member or friend about the call immediately
- Call the Anti-Scam Helpline at 1800-722-6688 if you are unsure about a call
- Install ScamShield from official app stores for proactive call blocking
How to report it
- Report to the Singapore Police Force at police.gov.sg/e-services/report-a-scam
- Call the Anti-Scam Helpline at 1800-722-6688
- Contact your bank immediately if any transfers were made
Frequently asked questions
Does the real Singapore Police Force ever call demanding payment to avoid arrest?
No — genuine SPF officers do not call demanding money transfers to avoid arrest or resolve a legal case, regardless of how official the caller ID or claimed case number appears. This impersonation pattern is one of the most common scam formats in Singapore and should always be treated as fraudulent.
What should I do if I'm on a call with someone claiming to be an SPF officer threatening arrest?
Hang up immediately, even if pressured to stay on the line. Verify by calling the police hotline directly using a number you look up independently, not one given by the caller.
Can I get my money back if I already paid a fake Singapore police scammer?
Report it immediately via the ScamShield hotline (1799) and to your bank, since fast reporting gives the best chance of freezing funds before withdrawal. Whether recovery is possible may depend on the payment method and timing.
Will the Singapore Police Force ever call and ask me to transfer money?
No. The Singapore Police Force will never call and instruct you to transfer funds to any account, including a 'safe account' held by the police. Any such instruction is fraudulent. If you receive such a call, hang up and verify by calling the SPF directly at 1800-255-0000.