Singapore (AsiaNews) – Singapore has introduced corporal punishment for fraudsters, further cracking down on a problem that is increasingly growing in many Southeast Asian countries, involving people from other Asian countries, like China and South Korea.
Scammers in Singapore will now face mandatory caning of at least six strokes, with the punishment potentially rising to 24 strokes depending on the severity of the crime, under new legislation passed in Parliament today.
The Criminal Law (Miscellaneous Amendments) Bill introduces tougher penalties for members of scam syndicates, recruiters, and accomplices, such as money mules who provide bank accounts, SIM cards, or Singpass credentials. Courts may impose up to 12 strokes of the cane on money mules at their discretion.
Senior Minister of State for Home Affairs Sim Ann highlighted during the Bill’s second reading that scams now account for 60 per cent of all reported crimes in Singapore. Between 2020 and mid-2025, approximately 190,000 scam cases were reported, resulting in total losses of S$ 3.7 billion (US$ 2.8 billion).
From July to September 2025 alone, losses reached S$ 187.1 million (US$ 140 million), bringing the total since 2020 to at least S$ 3.88 billion (US$ 3 billion). Sim described these figures as “staggering,” noting that the total financial losses exceed the cost of constructing a major hospital.
The move to introduce caning for scammers was first proposed in March by Jurong GRC Member of Parliament Dr Tan Wu Meng, after a constituent lost her life savings to a scam. The Home Affairs Ministry reviewed the suggestion and accepted it, concluding that stronger deterrents were necessary.
The new law also removes caning for eight minor offences, including blocking train carriages, which authorities said no longer warrant corporal punishment.
Penalties have been increased for those circulating obscene material to 10 or more people. Offenders now face up to two years in prison, or four years if the material involves minors.
Additionally, the legislation makes it illegal to produce or share AI-generated sexual images, including synthetic depictions of children. The age threshold for obscene materials involving minors has been raised from 16 to 18 years.
The updated law also broadens the definition of sexual grooming, covering cases where offenders or victims travel overseas to commit illicit acts. Offenders may face up to seven years in prison if the victim is under 14.
