Singapore Police Warn of Resurgence in Government Payout Scams Involving Fraudulent Accounts

Nicole Teo

The Singapore Police have issued a warning following the resurgence of scams where fraudulent Telegram channels and Instagram accounts impersonate government officials to promote payouts like the Community Development Council (CDC) and SG60 vouchers. Victims are urged to stay alert to avoid falling prey to these scams.

How the Scam Works

According to the police, scammers are using fake Telegram channels that echo the names of legitimate government initiatives, such as ‘CDC Vouchers’, and pose as official Instagram accounts, including ‘govh.sg’.

  • Victims receive messages with infographics urging them to claim their vouchers.
  • Clicking on the links leads to requests for personal information, including mobile numbers, full names, and NRIC details.
  • In some cases, victims are prompted to provide Telegram codes, allowing the scammers to take control of their accounts.

Once scammers gain access, they exploit the victims’ accounts to send phishing links to their contacts or add them to chat groups promoting fraudulent investment schemes.

Advisory on Official Channels

The police emphasise that the official ‘gov.sg’ accounts on Telegram and Instagram are strictly for informational purposes. Here’s how to discern real accounts from fakes:

  • Verified accounts have a blue verification tick.
  • The Ministry of Finance (MOF) does not operate any Telegram broadcast channels and will not reach out through this platform.

According to the police, legitimate communications from the government will never ask for personal credentials or require downloads from unofficial app stores.

Precautionary Measures

The police encourage the public to adopt the ACT (Add, Check, Tell) framework to safeguard against scams:

  • Add: Install the ScamShield app to filter potential scams.
  • Check: Always verify the legitimacy of messages before responding.
  • Tell: Report any suspicious activity through the ScamShield helpline at 1799.

Stay informed and vigilant—protect your personal information and always double-check the authenticity of messages you receive.

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