Singapore Police and Meta Partner to Combat Rising WhatsApp and Social Media Scams

SINGAPORE: With scams and Android malware attacks on the rise, the Singapore Police Force (SPF) has partnered with Meta, the parent company of WhatsApp, Facebook, and Instagram, to intensify anti-scam efforts. Scams involving malware, often spread through deceptive ads on Meta’s platforms, have targeted a growing number of Singaporeans.

According to SPF, scammers have become increasingly skilled at exploiting users with enticing ads for products, services, and travel packages on Facebook and Instagram. In the first half of this year, reported scam cases surged by 64.5%, although the total financial loss decreased slightly by 2.2%, amounting to S$334.5 million. More than half of these cases involved amounts below S$2,000, primarily affecting young adults aged 20 to 39. E-commerce, job, and phishing scams were the most common.

Malware scams, especially those targeting Android devices, remain a significant concern. Over 750 cases of malware-related scams were reported, with losses exceeding S$10 million. CPF savings were impacted in some cases, although police efforts have helped recover portions of these funds.

To address the issue, SPF has collaborated with banks and international agencies to track and intercept scam activities. Notably, the Anti-Scam Command, working with the Royal Malaysia Police, dismantled two major cross-border scam syndicates this year, leading to the arrest of nine individuals involved in malware phishing.

Efforts to raise awareness are ongoing, with SPF and the Association of Banks in Singapore advising users to install apps only from official app stores. Local banks DBS, UOB, OCBC, and CitiBank have introduced enhanced security measures, including blocking access to digital services if suspicious apps are detected. DBS, OCBC, and UOB also plan to introduce “money lock” features by November, allowing customers to secure specific amounts against unauthorized transfers, adding an extra layer of protection.