Government Officials Impersonation Scams
Archived: 2026-04-23 17:10
Government Officials Impersonation Scams
A Singapore Government Agency Website
How to identify
Official website links end with .gov.sg
Government agencies communicate via
.gov.sg
websites
(e.g. go.gov.sg/open)
.
Trusted website
s
Secure websites use HTTPS
Look for a
lock
(
) or https:// as an added precaution. Share sensitive
information only on official, secure websites.
Government Officials Impersonation Scams
Government Officials Impersonation Scams
Introduction to Scams
Why do people fall prey to scams
Don't be a scam mule
Stay safe with ScamShield
About ScamShield
Call our helpline
Check for scams
Block and filter scams
Submit scam reports
More ways to protect yourself
Secure your devices
Secure your accounts
Transact securely
Verify with official sources
Join our social channels
Understanding scam types
Government Officials Impersonation Scams
Investment Scams
Job Scams
E Commerce Scams
Phishing Scams
Fake Friend Call Scams
Loan Scams
Introduction to Scams
Why do people fall prey to scams
Don't be a scam mule
Stay safe with ScamShield
About ScamShield
Call our helpline
Check for scams
Block and filter scams
Submit scam reports
More ways to protect yourself
Secure your devices
Secure your accounts
Transact securely
Verify with official sources
Join our social channels
Understanding scam types
Government Officials Impersonation Scams
Investment Scams
Job Scams
E Commerce Scams
Phishing Scams
Fake Friend Call Scams
Loan Scams
Government Officials Impersonation Scams
Victims would receive unsolicited phone calls or in-app calls (e.g. WhatsApp
video call) allegedly from government agencies such as the Singapore Police
Force (SPF) or the Ministry of Manpower (MOM). The scammers would claim
that there were issues with the victim’s bank accounts and required additional
verification. Victims would then be asked to provide their banking or personal
information such as banking credentials and One-Time Passwords (OTPs) to
resolve these issues.
Scammers may also request victims to hand over money, gold/luxury watches
or other valuables via meet-ups, claiming to be officers collecting items
for investigation purposes. In some cases, victims may be instructed to
show their identity cards, work permit or their bank cards when speaking
to the “SPF” or “MOM” officer over the in-app video call. The victims would
only discover that they had been scammed when they realised that there
were unauthorised transactions made from their bank accounts.
At least S$242.9 million lost to scammers
Annual Scams and Cybercrime Brief 2025
Government officials will
NEVER
do these things over a phone call:
Ask you to
transfer money
;
Ask you to disclose
bank log-in details
;
Ask you to install
mobile apps
from
unofficial app stores
;
Transfer your call
to
Police
Additional Advisories
If you receive an SMS from the government, make sure it is sent from the
gov.sg
SMS Sender ID*.
Scammers may cite your personal information (e.g. name or NRIC number)
to appear legitimate. Do not automatically trust someone just because he/she
has your personal information. Call the 24/7 ScamShield Helpline at
1799
to
check if you are unsure if something is a scam.
*Exceptions apply for National Service calls-ups and emergency services. Read more about
the exceptions
Overseas law enforcement agencies have no legal powers to require members
of the public in Singapore to assist in their investigations without the
approval of the Singapore government.
SPF officers will
NEVER
ask you to do the following over the phone or through text message:
Transfer money to the Police, bank accounts, or mobile numbers linked
to bank accounts;
Request for your banking, SingPass and/or CPF related information;
Click on links that lead to bank websites;
Install apps outside of official app stores.
Examples of Government Officials Impersonation scams
How to stay safe
ADD:
ScamShield app to block scam calls and filter scam SMSes.
Anti-virus app to your devices (see
recommendations by CSA
).
Money Lock to your bank accounts to further secure a portion of your savings.
International Call Blocking option to your mobile account(s).
Security features such as 2 or multi-FA for your online accounts
CHECK:
With someone you trust about the situation.
Call the ScamShield Helpline (1799) to check if you are unsure.
Never disclose your personal information (including SingPass and CPF-related),
internet banking and social media account details, and one-time passwords
(OTPs) to anyone.
From 1 July 2024, all SMSes from government agencies will use a single
gov.sg
SMS
Sender ID. Every text message will begin with the full name of the agency
that sent it and end with a note stating that it is an automated message
sent by the Singapore Government.
TELL:
Warn friends and family about this scam encounter.
Report and block suspected scam accounts/chat groups.
Call your bank immediately and make a police report if you think you have
fallen victim.
Learn more about government officials impersonation scams
10-second pause saved her from losing five-figure sum to a scam
The Impersonation Scam That Almost Cost My Mum Her Life Savings
Urgent calls from the police or the bank? Learn how to know if it's a scam
More fall victim to scammers posing as local and foreign officials
Received an SMS from the Government? Here's an easy way to tell if it's real
Why people fall prey to scammers posing as police officers
Encountered this scam? Report it!
If you have transferred money to a scammer, please visit this page for
a list of immediate actions:
I've Been Scammed!
Help keep the community safe by reporting any instances of this scam you’ve
seen or experienced with the ScamShield App.
PREVIOUS
Join our social channels
NEXT
Investment Scams
A Singapore Government Agency Website
How to identify
Official website links end with .gov.sg
Government agencies communicate via
.gov.sg
websites
(e.g. go.gov.sg/open)
.
Trusted website
s
Secure websites use HTTPS
Look for a
lock
(
) or https:// as an added precaution. Share sensitive
information only on official, secure websites.
Government Officials Impersonation Scams
Government Officials Impersonation Scams
Introduction to Scams
Why do people fall prey to scams
Don't be a scam mule
Stay safe with ScamShield
About ScamShield
Call our helpline
Check for scams
Block and filter scams
Submit scam reports
More ways to protect yourself
Secure your devices
Secure your accounts
Transact securely
Verify with official sources
Join our social channels
Understanding scam types
Government Officials Impersonation Scams
Investment Scams
Job Scams
E Commerce Scams
Phishing Scams
Fake Friend Call Scams
Loan Scams
Introduction to Scams
Why do people fall prey to scams
Don't be a scam mule
Stay safe with ScamShield
About ScamShield
Call our helpline
Check for scams
Block and filter scams
Submit scam reports
More ways to protect yourself
Secure your devices
Secure your accounts
Transact securely
Verify with official sources
Join our social channels
Understanding scam types
Government Officials Impersonation Scams
Investment Scams
Job Scams
E Commerce Scams
Phishing Scams
Fake Friend Call Scams
Loan Scams
Government Officials Impersonation Scams
Victims would receive unsolicited phone calls or in-app calls (e.g. WhatsApp
video call) allegedly from government agencies such as the Singapore Police
Force (SPF) or the Ministry of Manpower (MOM). The scammers would claim
that there were issues with the victim’s bank accounts and required additional
verification. Victims would then be asked to provide their banking or personal
information such as banking credentials and One-Time Passwords (OTPs) to
resolve these issues.
Scammers may also request victims to hand over money, gold/luxury watches
or other valuables via meet-ups, claiming to be officers collecting items
for investigation purposes. In some cases, victims may be instructed to
show their identity cards, work permit or their bank cards when speaking
to the “SPF” or “MOM” officer over the in-app video call. The victims would
only discover that they had been scammed when they realised that there
were unauthorised transactions made from their bank accounts.
At least S$242.9 million lost to scammers
Annual Scams and Cybercrime Brief 2025
Government officials will
NEVER
do these things over a phone call:
Ask you to
transfer money
;
Ask you to disclose
bank log-in details
;
Ask you to install
mobile apps
from
unofficial app stores
;
Transfer your call
to
Police
Additional Advisories
If you receive an SMS from the government, make sure it is sent from the
gov.sg
SMS Sender ID*.
Scammers may cite your personal information (e.g. name or NRIC number)
to appear legitimate. Do not automatically trust someone just because he/she
has your personal information. Call the 24/7 ScamShield Helpline at
1799
to
check if you are unsure if something is a scam.
*Exceptions apply for National Service calls-ups and emergency services. Read more about
the exceptions
Overseas law enforcement agencies have no legal powers to require members
of the public in Singapore to assist in their investigations without the
approval of the Singapore government.
SPF officers will
NEVER
ask you to do the following over the phone or through text message:
Transfer money to the Police, bank accounts, or mobile numbers linked
to bank accounts;
Request for your banking, SingPass and/or CPF related information;
Click on links that lead to bank websites;
Install apps outside of official app stores.
Examples of Government Officials Impersonation scams
How to stay safe
ADD:
ScamShield app to block scam calls and filter scam SMSes.
Anti-virus app to your devices (see
recommendations by CSA
).
Money Lock to your bank accounts to further secure a portion of your savings.
International Call Blocking option to your mobile account(s).
Security features such as 2 or multi-FA for your online accounts
CHECK:
With someone you trust about the situation.
Call the ScamShield Helpline (1799) to check if you are unsure.
Never disclose your personal information (including SingPass and CPF-related),
internet banking and social media account details, and one-time passwords
(OTPs) to anyone.
From 1 July 2024, all SMSes from government agencies will use a single
gov.sg
SMS
Sender ID. Every text message will begin with the full name of the agency
that sent it and end with a note stating that it is an automated message
sent by the Singapore Government.
TELL:
Warn friends and family about this scam encounter.
Report and block suspected scam accounts/chat groups.
Call your bank immediately and make a police report if you think you have
fallen victim.
Learn more about government officials impersonation scams
10-second pause saved her from losing five-figure sum to a scam
The Impersonation Scam That Almost Cost My Mum Her Life Savings
Urgent calls from the police or the bank? Learn how to know if it's a scam
More fall victim to scammers posing as local and foreign officials
Received an SMS from the Government? Here's an easy way to tell if it's real
Why people fall prey to scammers posing as police officers
Encountered this scam? Report it!
If you have transferred money to a scammer, please visit this page for
a list of immediate actions:
I've Been Scammed!
Help keep the community safe by reporting any instances of this scam you’ve
seen or experienced with the ScamShield App.
PREVIOUS
Join our social channels
NEXT
Investment Scams