AdvertisementAdvertisementSingaporeA woman speaking to someone on the phone. (Photo: iStock/Catherine Costa)New: You can now listen to articles. This audio is generated by an AI tool.14 Aug 2026 09:48PM Bookmark Bookmark WhatsApp Telegram Facebook Twitter Email LinkedInAdd CNA as a trusted source to help Google better understand and surface our content in search results.Read a summary of this article on FAST.Get bite-sized news via a newcards interface. Give it a try.Click here to return to FAST Tap here to return to FASTFAST SINGAPORE: At least 72 people have fallen victim to scams involving callers impersonating Immigration and Checkpoints Authority (ICA) and Chinese officials since January, with losses of at least S$6.1 million in total, the police said on Friday (Aug 14).Victims would receive unsolicited calls from scammers claiming to be ICA officers.“The scammers would claim that the victims’ details had been misused or that their phone numbers had been linked to criminal activities, such as spreading false rumours or transmission of scam messages,” the police said in a media release. When victims deny any involvement, the calls are then transferred to another scammer impersonating a Chinese official.Show MoreShow LessThe purported Chinese official would demand money for "investigation or bail purposes", police said.Victims would be instructed to transfer money to bank accounts or withdraw cash and hand it over to the purported official to facilitate "investigations".They would only realise they had been scammed when the callers became uncontactable or after checking with the relevant government agencies, police said.MHA proposes giving police powers to order banks, telcos to share information, disable scam-linked accountsAuthorities warn against cryptocurrency-related scams involving fake job offers after US$11.8 million in lossesPolice reminded members of the public not to share sensitive information such as bank card PINs, or transfer or hand over money and valuables to unknown people or those whose identities have not been verified through official sources.The police stressed that Singapore government officials, including those from ICA, will never:Ask members of the public to transfer or hand over money, luxury watches, gold or cryptocurrency;Ask them to obtain loans from licensed moneylenders;Ask for banking login details;Ask them to install mobile applications from unverified app stores; orTransfer their calls to the police or other government officialsMembers of the public were also reminded that Singapore government officials will never ask them to transfer money or valuables.They will also not ask the public to obtain loans from licensed moneylenders, ask them to disclose banking login details or download unverified apps from app stores."Do not trust unsolicited communications, even if the caller appears to have your personal information," the police said.Source: CNA/fh(gs)Sign up for our newslettersGet our pick of top stories and thought-provoking articles in your inboxSubscribe hereGet the CNA appStay updated with notifications for breaking news and our best storiesDownload hereGet WhatsApp alertsJoin our channel for the top reads for the day on your preferred chat appJoin hereAlso worth readingContent is loading...Expand to read the full storyGet bite-sized news via a newcards interface. Give it a try.Click here to return to FAST Tap here to return to FASTFAST