Singapore has approved a sweeping new criminal law that introduces caning as a mandatory punishment for scammers and their accomplices, as the city-state intensifies efforts to curb a surge in online and financial fraud that has cost the nation nearly $4 billion in losses over the past six years.
The new legislation, passed on Tuesday, mandates that individuals convicted of running or aiding scam syndicates will face a minimum of six strokes of the cane, alongside prison sentences and fines. Depending on the severity of the offence, the punishment could reach a maximum of 24 strokes, according to The Straits Times.
The law targets not only the masterminds behind scam networks but also those who facilitate them, including recruiters, money mules, and individuals who provide bank accounts, SIM cards, or digital identities to fraud syndicates.
Authorities said the tougher stance is necessary following a sharp increase in scam-related crimes. Since 2019, Singapore has lost more than $3.4 billion to scams. In 2024 alone, victims lost a record $1.1 billion, while another $600 million in losses was reported between January and August this year.
Singapore’s Minister for Home Affairs, who introduced the bill, described the measure as “a deterrent response to a growing national security and public confidence concern.” The move underscores the government’s zero-tolerance approach to financial crime, particularly as syndicates increasingly exploit technology and digital platforms to target victims.
The bill also introduces a range of amendments to strengthen penalties for other serious crimes, including sexual offences, fatal abuse of vulnerable victims, and the doxxing of public servants.
Under the new provisions, individuals found guilty of circulating obscene material to 10 or more people face up to two years in prison, while those under 18 who distribute such content could face up to four years. The maximum penalty for sexual grooming has also been raised to seven years’ imprisonment for offences involving victims under 14, and five years for those aged between 14 and 17.
Singapore’s legal jurisdiction will now extend to cases where offenders or victims travel abroad, ensuring that cross-border crimes involving Singaporean citizens can still be prosecuted domestically.
In addition, penalties for the fatal abuse of vulnerable victims such as children, the elderly, and persons with disabilities have been toughened. Offenders convicted under this category could now face up to 30 years in jail or life imprisonment, up from the previous maximum of 20 years.
Singapore has long maintained one of the world’s strictest criminal justice systems, with corporal punishment retained as a deterrent for crimes ranging from vandalism to drug trafficking. The inclusion of caning for scam-related crimes signals the government’s determination to restore public trust amid rising concern over online fraud.
