Singapore Mandates Anti-Scam Rules for Tech Platforms

The Government of Singapore implemented new anti-scam regulations on August 18, 2026, under the Online Criminal Harms Act to combat the rise of online romance and crypto investment fraud. These measures shift responsibility onto digital platforms to prevent scams after Home Affairs Minister Sim Ann reported that the country lost over $2.8 billion to scams between 2020 and mid-2025.

The regulations target three primary sectors. Messaging services, including WhatsApp, Telegram, and Google Messages, must now obtain user consent before unknown contacts can add them to groups and provide tools to block suspicious communications. Social media platforms such as Facebook, Instagram, and TikTok are required to verify advertisers against government records and block unlicensed financial services. E-commerce platforms, including Carousell and Facebook Marketplace, must strengthen their login safeguards.

Most platforms have until January 31, 2027, to comply with the new rules, though anti-spoofing measures designed to prevent government impersonation must be active by September 30, 2026. The Singapore Police Force warned that non-compliant platforms face fines of up to 1 million Singapore dollars, with additional daily penalties for continued violations.