Scam prevention | Government Technology Agency of Singapore (GovTech Singapore)

Scam prevention is a critical aspect of navigating today’s digital landscape. As online interactions become increasingly prevalent, so does the risk of encountering sophisticated scams designed to deceive and defraud individuals.

GovTech is committed to empowering Singaporeans with robust scam prevention solutions aimed at safeguarding everyone from pervasive online threats. Our focus includes providing tools and resources to effectively prevent phishing attempts and identify website fraud detection mechanisms, ultimately protecting citizens from falling victim to scam website detector schemes and other malicious online activities.

First government agency to join the GSE

GovTech is the first government agency to join the Global Signal Exchange (GSE) — the world’s first global, multi-stakeholder and cross-sector clearing house for sharing abuse data and related information (called ‘signals’). By joining the GSE, GovTech, in partnership with the Singapore Police Force (SPF), send scam signals — including scam-tainted websites — through the GSE to strengthen detection and disruption efforts.

Trends of online scams in Singapore

Singapore faces a growing threat from online scams. In 2024, scam cases rose by 10.6% to 51,501, resulting in at least $1.1 billion in losses — a 70.6% increase. These alarming figures are fuelled by increasingly sophisticated tactics.

Common scams in Singapore frequently involve phishing, where fraudsters impersonate trusted entities to steal data. Learning how to avoid getting scammed online is crucial as they create convincing scam website detector traps and exploit online vulnerabilities. These trends highlight the urgent need for proactive scam prevention measures and greater public awareness to combat these evolving deceptions.

How to protect citizens’ online security

While scams are becoming increasingly sophisticated, our defences are also evolving. GovTech is committed to providing cutting-edge scam prevention solutions that not only detect and prevent phishing but also actively combat a wide range of online threats, ensuring a safer digital environment for all. By leveraging advanced technologies like AI, our tools actively identify and neutralise fraudulent activities, including sophisticated scam website detector schemes.

Here’s a closer look at our key scam prevention solutions:

Scam Analytics and Tactical Intervention System (SATIS)

• AI-powered platform aiding the Singapore Police Force (SPF) in combating scam websites.

• Utilises rMSE, an in-house AI classifier, to evaluate over 400,000 websites daily for potential scams.

• Achieves <0.1% false positives through human-machine verification.

• Benefits from citizen reporting of suspicious sites via ScamShield.

• Disrupts scam websites, often displaying warnings from Google and/or SPF.

ScamShield

• A comprehensive scam prevention tool empowering citizens to check, block, and report potential scams.

• Offers a 24/7 helpline (1799), mobile app, website, and social media channels (WhatsApp and Telegram).

• Blacklisted and blocked over 120,000 scam entities since 2022.

Risks of online scams

The proliferation of online scams in Singapore presents significant risks beyond mere financial losses. Victims often suffer emotional distress, reputational damage, and the compromise of sensitive personal data, which can be exploited for further malicious activities. The evolving sophistication of these scams, including AI-powered deceptions and social engineering tactics, makes detection increasingly challenging. 

Effective online scam prevention is, therefore, critical in Singapore to safeguard individuals, maintain trust in the digital ecosystem, and protect the nation’s overall cybersecurity posture. Failure to address this growing threat can undermine public confidence in online services and hinder Singapore’s Smart Nation ambitions.

GovTech’s scam prevention solutions

SATIS and ScamShield provide a multi-layered defence against online scams in Singapore. SATIS, an AI-driven system, proactively detects and disrupts malicious websites at the ecosystem level. ScamShield, an end-user tool, identifies and blocks scam calls, messages, and links in real-time. By leveraging AI and data analytics from different angles, they form a coordinated approach to enhance scam prevention and online safety for Singaporeans.

Explore our scam prevention solutions

Scam Analytics and Tactical Intervention System (SATIS)

Explore how the Scam Analytics and Tactical Intervention System hunts, analyses and disrupts scam websites in the entire World Wide Web.

ScamShield

Discover how ScamShield helps citizens check for scams, block and filter scams, and report potential scams.

Key features of SATIS

What is SATIS

SATIS (Scam Analytics and Tactical Intervention System) is an AI-powered platform used by the Singapore Police Force to detect, analyse, and disrupt malicious websites and online scam infrastructure at an ecosystem level.

How SATIS protects users

SATIS employs an AI classifier (rMSE) to continuously scan over 100,000 websites daily for scam indicators. Detected malicious sites are blocked or display warnings, preventing user access.

Proactive threat neutralisation

SATIS actively works to disrupt scam operations by facilitating the blocking of identified malicious websites or displaying warnings through collaborations with entities like Google and the SPF.

Precision in detection

SATIS combines AI analysis with human verification to achieve a high accuracy rate (<0.1% false positives) in identifying scam websites, ensuring reliable threat detection.

Key features of ScamShield

What is ScamShield

ScamShield is a user-friendly mobile app and resource suite (helpline, website, social channels) empowering individuals to easily identify, block, and report scams across various platforms.

How ScamShield protects users

ScamShield employs AI to analyse calls and messages, filtering likely scams. Users can report suspicious activity, contributing to a community-driven database that enhances detection and warns others.

Community-powered defence

Users actively report potential scams via ScamShield, creating a valuable crowdsourced database that improves the system’s ability to identify emerging threats and warn the wider community.

Multi-channel accessibility

ScamShield offers support across multiple channels: a 24/7 helpline, a mobile app, a website, and social media platforms, ensuring accessible help and reporting options.

Real-world use cases

GovTech’s scam prevention solutions are actively deployed to protect Singaporeans from online fraud. SATIS proactively detects and disrupts phishing scams by using its AI to identify malicious websites that steal login credentials, preventing countless users from becoming victims. This is demonstrated by SATIS’s successful identification and disruption of over 50,000 scam-related websites as of September 2024.

ScamShield empowers citizens to participate in scam prevention by enabling users to easily report suspicious messages and calls through the mobile application. This facilitates a community-powered defense, with 94,489 users having submitted a report at least once as of August 2024, showcasing the app’s role in engaging the public for collective protection.

How to use ScamShield

Here’s how you can effectively use ScamShield to protect yourself:

1. Download the ScamShield app: The ScamShield app is your primary tool. Use it to detect and filter suspicious calls, websites, and messages, thanks to its enhanced blocking capabilities.

2. Visit the ScamShield website: Go to the ScamShield website for the latest updates on prevalent scams, practical tips on how to avoid getting scammed online, and live chat support.

3. Call the 1799 ScamShield helpline: For urgent situations or immediate, personalised support, call the 24/7 ScamShield helpline. Trained personnel can help you verify potential scams and guide you on the appropriate actions..

4. Subscribe to ScamShield alert social channels: Subscribe to the official ScamShield WhatsApp and Telegram channels for timely alerts and the latest scam trends.

Here’s what to expect when using ScamShield:

• App usage: The app actively filters calls and messages. Suspected scams may be blocked or flagged; always exercise caution.

• Reporting: Reported data improves detection and warns others; your privacy is secure.

• Website interaction: Use live chat for specific queries or new scam types. The website provides general guidance.

• Helpline assistance: The helpline offers immediate support for verifying suspicious communications and urgent advice.

How to use SATIS

SATIS works in the background to protect you from scam websites. Here’s how you can help maximise its effectiveness:

1. Contribute by reporting: Enhance SATIS’s capabilities by reporting any suspicious web activity you encounter using the ScamShield app.

2. Look out for sites disrupted by SATIS: If you land on a website disrupted by SATIS, you might see:

   • A red warning screen from Google.

   • A warning message from the SPF.

   • A disconnected site (e.g., a 404 error).

   • Important: If a scammer attempts to redirect you to a different link after you encounter a disrupted site, do not engage with them.

Here’s what to expect when using SATIS:

• Automatic protection: SATIS operates automatically in the background, analysing websites without requiring direct user interaction.

• Reporting’s impact: Reporting suspicious web activity through ScamShield helps SATIS identify and block more scam sites, protecting yourself and others.

• Encountering disrupted sites: If you encounter a warning or error page, it indicates that SATIS has intervened to protect you from a potentially harmful website.

• Caution after disruption: Be wary of any attempts by scammers to redirect you to alternative links, as these are likely further attempts to deceive you.

How to avoid getting scammed online

Protecting yourself online is essential. Follow these simple steps to stay safe:

• Be wary of unsolicited messages: Never click on links or open attachments from unknown or suspicious sources.

• Verify sender identity: Always double-check who sent a message or email. Scammers often impersonate trusted organisations.

• Don’t rush: Scammers often create a sense of urgency. Take your time to think before providing any personal or financial information.

• Use strong passwords: Create unique and complex passwords for all your online accounts, and don’t reuse them.

• Keep software updated: Ensure your devices and apps are up-to-date with the latest security patches.

• Report suspicious activity: If you encounter a potential scam, report it to the authorities and the platform where you saw it.

Start protecting yourself online today

By combining GovTech’s proactive solutions like SATIS and ScamShield with your own vigilance and awareness, you can significantly enhance your online safety. This collaborative approach is crucial to strengthening scam prevention and overall cybersecurity in Singapore. Stay informed, utilise the available tools, and adopt safe online habits to navigate the digital world with confidence and security.

Frequently asked questions about online scam prevention

How can I report a scam I encountered?

You can report scams using the ScamShield app. This helps improve the app’s detection capabilities and warns other users.

Are ScamShield and SATIS effective against phishing and website fraud?

Yes. SATIS proactively detects and disrupts malicious websites, including phishing sites, while ScamShield filters suspicious calls and messages, showing how it helps to prevent phishing attempts.

How can I stay updated on the latest scam prevention tips and tools?

Visit the ScamShield website for scam prevention updates, tips, and live chat assistance. You can also subscribe to the ScamShield WhatsApp and Telegram channels for timely alerts.

Are there any costs associated with using ScamShield or SATIS?

ScamShield and SATIS are free for public use, provided by the government to help protect citizens from scams.