15 under police probe for sharing Singpass credentials used in scams

SINGAPORE - Fifteen people here are being investigated for sharing their Singpass credentials, which were later used in scams where victims lost over $890,000 in total.

Among the 15 under probe, five men and one woman, aged between 19 and 56, were arrested.

In a statement on July 17, police said the scams were carried out in several ways.

First, some people allegedly sold their Singpass credentials, which were later misused to open new bank accounts and register for new mobile phone lines.

Others had given unknown parties access to their Singpass accounts without verifying their identities.

In another example, some people shared their Singpass credentials after being deceived by scammers offering employment or investment schemes.

They were convinced that Singpass access was needed to set up employment profiles, verify their identities for job applications, or create investment accounts.

The 15 people, aged between 18 and 68, were found following an islandwide anti-scam enforcement operation conducted between July 8 and 11. The operation involved officers from the Commercial Affairs Department, seven police land divisions and the Singpass Anti-fraud team.

Those found guilty of disclosing their Singpass credentials to facilitate an offence face a jail term of up to three years, a fine, or both.

Members of the public should never disclose their Singpass passwords or 2FA details to unknown persons, the police said.

These credentials can be misused to access various digital services, including the opening of bank accounts, e-wallets, crypto accounts and mobile phone lines for illegal activities.

To report scam-related information, the public can call the police hotline on 1800-255-0000, or submit details online at www.police.gov.sg/i-witness with the assurance of confidentiality.