Singapore police warn of malware sextortion scams with losses exceeding S$20,000
At least S$20,000 (approximately US$14,800) has been lost since November to a new malware-based sextortion scam in Singapore, where victims are deceived into installing malicious apps that grant scammers remote access to their phones.
- At least S$20,000 (US$14.8k) has been lost to malware-based sextortion scams since November.
- Scammers use fake video-call apps to gain remote access and extort victims with compromising images.
- Singapore’s overall scam losses remain severe, reaching S$456.4m in early 2025 and S$1.1b in 2024.
SINGAPORE: Singapore police have issued a fresh warning after at least S$20,000 (around US$14,800) was lost since November to a malware scam involving offers of online sexual services.
At least six victims have been identified, the police said on 3 December.
In this variant, scammers entice targets through platforms such as TikTok, Instagram and Threads, offering online sexual services.
Victims are instructed to download a malicious application, purportedly needed to initiate a video call.
Once installed, the malware grants scammers remote access to the victim’s mobile phone, including photo galleries and contact lists.
Offenders either record victims performing sexual acts during the video call or retrieve compromising photos already stored on their devices.
Using the obtained images, scammers threaten to disseminate the material to victims’ contacts unless money is transferred.
Several victims have paid in fear, contributing to the losses recorded.
Rising scam losses and tougher penalties
The incident comes as Singapore faces a broader surge in scams, with S$456.4 million (approximately US$337 million) lost in the first half of 2025, alongside nearly 20,000 cases.
In 2024, total losses hit S$1.1 billion (about US$813 million) — the highest ever in a single year.
Authorities urge the public to install and update antivirus applications, with recommendations available on the CSA website.
Users should keep Google Play Protect enabled, avoid installing apps from unknown sources and reject pop-up requests for access permissions.
Those who suspect their devices are infected should switch to flight mode, disable Wi-Fi, run antivirus scans and immediately check their bank, CPF and Singpass accounts for unauthorised activity.
On 4 November, Singapore Parliament passes new law introducing caning for scam syndicate members and obscene content administrators.
Under the new law, members of scam syndicates and those aiding them—such as money mules who provide bank accounts, SIM cards, or Singpass credentials—face caning of up to 24 strokes. Money mules may be subjected to up to 12 strokes of discretionary caning.
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