The Singapore Police Force (SPF) and The Personal Data Protection Commission (PDPC) would like to alert members of the public to be vigilant against unsolicited calls from scammers impersonating PDPC officers. Since January 2025, there have been at least 4 cases reported with total losses amounting to at least $231,000.

In this variant, the victims would receive unsolicited calls from scammers claiming to be from the PDPC. Victims would be informed that their mobile number has been used for criminal activities in Malaysia and are required to report to the PDPC office to assist with investigations. When victims visited the office, the scammer would not show up. Victims would then contact the scammer who would provide an excuse and persuade the victim to transfer monies to specified bank accounts under the pretext of assisting in investigations.

In some cases, the call would be transferred to a second scammer purporting to be from Malaysian law enforcement agencies, who would claim that they have a “Staff ID card” or verify their identity with the victim, by getting the victim to verify his “Staff ID number” through a purported Malaysian law enforcement agency website. Victims would then be either directed to transfer monies to specified bank accounts or disclose their personal information such as personal or banking credentials, SingPass password or Two-Factor Authentication (2FA) One-Time Passwords (OTP) for the purpose of assisting in investigations. The information may be misused to access the victims’ bank account for unauthorised transactions or create a new bank account under the victims’ name. Victims would only realize that they had been cheated when the scammers become uncontactable, or when they subsequently verify the situation with the PDPC through official channels.

If you receive a call/email from someone claiming to be from the PDPC, do not provide any personal details or effect any transfer of monies. Do verify the call/email through official PDPC channels at 6377 3131 or info@pdpc.gov.sg before visiting the offices.

We would like to inform members of public that foreign police forces do not have powers to conduct investigation in Singapore or direct anyone in Singapore to assist in their investigations. Government officials will never ask members of the public to do the following over the phone or through text message:

a. Transfer money to a bank account;

b. Request for personal, banking, SingPass or CPF related information;

c. Ask to click on links that lead to bank websites; or

d. Ask to install apps or software from third party websites.

We would like to remind members of the public not to transfer money or disclose your personal details to unknown persons. Members of the public are also encouraged to adopt the following precautionary measures:

a. ADD – Add the ScamShield app to block and filter SMSes. Set up security features (e.g. set up transaction limits for internet banking transactions/credit/debit card transactions, enable 2FA, Multifactor Authentication for e-wallets, use the Money Lock feature of your bank to “lock up” a portion of your money so that it cannot be transferred out digitally by anyone, further protecting your savings from scams).

b. CHECK – Check for scam signs with official sources (e.g. ScamShield WhatsApp bot @ https://go.gov.sg/scamshield-bot, call the Anti-Scam Helpline on 1800-722-6688, or visit www.scamalert.sg). Before giving personal details such as identification number, bank account, SingPass or 2FA OTP over the phone or WhatsApp, check with authorised sources.

c. TELL – Tell the authorities, family, and friends if or when you encounter scams. If you suspect that you have fallen victim to a scam, call your bank immediately to report and block any fraudulent transactions as well as make a police report.

If you are in doubt, call the 24/7 ScamShield Helpline at 1799 to check. For more information on scams, members of the public can visit www.scamshield.gov.sg. Fighting scams is a community effort. Together, we can ACT Against Scams to safeguard our community!