Telegram scams spike 137.5% in Singapore in first half of 2024

The number of scam and cybercrime cases in Singapore have increased by 18.0% to 28,751 cases, as compared to 24, 367 cases in the same period in 2023.

Scams accounted for 92.5% of these 28,751 cases in the first half of 2024. This is up from 22, 853 cases last year. 

More Singaporeans are also falling victim to scams on Telegram. According to a report by Singapore Police Force (SPF), there was a 137.5% spike in scam cases involving Telegram in the first half of 2024. 

Among the Telegram scam cases, 38.6% were investment scams, 29.6% were eCommerce scams and 25% were job scams. 

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Meanwhile, three products from Meta - Facebook, Whatsapp and Instagram - remain "particularly concerning", said SPF. 

These platforms are consistently being over-represented among the platforms exploited by scammers to contact potential victims and conduct their scams. 

74.2% of scam victims were youths, young adults and adults aged below 50 in the first half of 2024. However, the average amount lost per elderly victim is the highest, said SPF.

Scammers tend to reach out to the elderly via phone calls, WhatsApp and Facebook. While the elderly made up one of the smallest (7.2%) age groups of scam victims, the average amount lost per elderly victim is the highest when compared to victims of the other age groups.

"This is a concern as the elderly may potentially lose their entire life savings to scams and are unlikely to recover financially," said SPF. 

Overall, the average amount lost per scam case for all reported scam cases has increased 7.1% to SG$14,503 in the first half of 2024 this is up from SG$13,541 in the first half of 2023. 59.8% of scams cases in first half of 2024 have losses less than or equal to SG$2,000. 

Among the top ten scam types in the first half of 2024, government officials impersonation scams had the highest average losses at about SG$116,534 per case, followed by investment scams at about SG$40,080 per case.

These two scam types typically involve deception and social engineering conducted over a period of time, using an array of complex scam methods.

On the other hand, scams such as fake friend call scam cases and malware-enabled scam cases have decreased over the year. 

To combat scams, SPF said it will collaborate with eCommerce platforms to take down scam-related online monikers and advertisements. 

It will also collaborate with local telecommunication companies to terminate phone lines related to scams. 

While most online scams are perpetrated by scammers based outside of Singapore and such cases are difficult to investigate and prosecute, SPF will continue to work closely with foreign counterparts and partners such as the Royal Malaysia Police and INTERPOL by exchanging information and conducting joint investigations and operations against transnational scams, it said. 

In addition, the SPF will continue to educate the public by providing anti-scam information and resources via various platforms. 

Earlier this week, Starhub and SPF launched a public education campaign to promote vigilance against cyber threats. 

The campaign comprises a series of scam masterclasses, each playing out a common ruse that has snared many unsuspecting victims. 

The scam masterclasses are designed to engage viewers of all backgrounds and demonstrate that while anyone is vulnerable, recognising tell-tale signs of a scam is half the battle won, said StarHub in a statement seen by MARKETING-INTERACTIVE.

As part of the scam masterclasses, viewers will be armed with essential knowledge and practical tools to outsmart scammers, ensuring a more secure digital landscape for everyone. 

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