Singapore | December 22, 2025
Singapore’s government has enacted one of the world’s toughest anti-scam laws, mandating up to 24 strokes of the cane for convicted scammers, as the city-state intensifies its crackdown on cyber fraud that cost residents more than SGD 1 billion ($740 million) in 2024.
The law, passed unanimously in Parliament and set to take effect on December 30, 2025, targets offenses including phishing scams, online investment fraud, impersonation schemes, and digital extortion, alongside steep financial penalties and prison terms.
🏛️ Government Defends Zero-Tolerance Approach
Prime Minister Lawrence Wong’s administration said the measure is essential to protect Singapore’s standing as a global financial and technology hub, warning that unchecked cybercrime could erode investor confidence and public trust.
Under the new framework, offenders may face:
Up to 24 strokes of the cane
Fines up to SGD 100,000
Extended jail sentences, depending on the severity and financial impact of the scam
Officials said the punishment will apply primarily to serious and repeat offenders.
📈 Public Support Amid Scam Epidemic
The move comes amid a surge in cyber fraud cases, with authorities describing scams as a national security and economic threat. Public sentiment has largely favored tougher penalties, as victims—many of them elderly—have lost life savings to increasingly sophisticated online schemes.
Government data shows scam-related losses have climbed steadily despite public awareness campaigns and enhanced banking safeguards.
⚖️ Human Rights Groups Raise Concerns
International and local human rights organizations criticized the law, calling corporal punishment cruel and outdated, and urged Singapore to prioritize rehabilitation and technological prevention over physical penalties.
Singapore, however, has long defended caning as a legal deterrent, already used for offenses such as drug trafficking, violent crime, and vandalism.
🌏 Regional and Global Implications
Analysts say the policy could influence anti-cybercrime strategies across ASEAN, where digital fraud is rising rapidly. Singapore plans to pair the new law with:
Enhanced digital forensics capabilities
Greater cross-border cooperation
Partnerships with global tech platforms, including Meta, to trace and disrupt scam networks
🔮 What’s Next
Authorities expect the law’s strict penalties, combined with stronger international enforcement mechanisms, to significantly curb cyber fraud. Whether the approach becomes a regional model—or a global point of controversy—will depend on its long-term impact.
