Singapore authorities plan to restrict “scam mules” access to banking services and phone lines as part of a comprehensive effort to disrupt criminal networks that facilitated almost $460 million in losses during the first half of 2025.
The Singapore Police Force, Monetary Authority of Singapore (MAS), Infocomm Media Development Authority, and Government Technology Agency announced today (Tuesday) that they will implement the facility restriction framework starting in October. The measures target individuals who sell their bank accounts and phone lines to overseas scam syndicates.
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Repeat Offenders Drive Phone Line Abuse in Singapore
Nearly 15% of telephone line subscribers who allowed their lines to be used for scams this year are repeat mule offenders, with more than 11,000 lines involved in criminal activities. Some individuals under investigation continued applying for new telephone lines to sell to scammers, prompting authorities to expand enforcement beyond traditional prosecution.
“The success of scam syndicates hinges on local persons providing their bank accounts, mobile lines and other essential facilities to the syndicates,” the agencies said in their joint statement. Police observed an increase in scam lines registered by corporate entities as criminals adapt their tactics.
Local phone numbers prove valuable to scammers because Singaporeans are more likely to answer calls from domestic numbers rather than foreign ones. Criminals also use these lines to register social media accounts for reaching potential victims.
Interestingly, typically “money mules” or “scam mules” are not aware they are participating in a scam, and their data or activities are being used for money laundering or fraud. US regulators also warned about this type of fraudulent scheme last year. However, in the case described by Singaporean agencies, it involves situations where locals knowingly provide their information to criminals in exchange for financial compensation.
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Banking Access Curbed for Money Movement
The restrictions will limit scam mules' access to digital banking services, including internet banking and mobile banking, as well as card-based transactions and ATM services. PayNow and internet banking have become the primary methods for moving scam money out of the country, making these services particularly attractive to criminal networks.
Scammers increasingly exploit cryptocurrency transactions for their anonymity features when transferring stolen funds, according to the authorities. Cryptocurrency losses accounted for 17.9% of total scam losses in the first half of 2025, or about $81.6 million.
The specific restrictions and their duration will be calibrated based on the risks posed by each scam mule, taking into consideration basic financial and communication needs. Appeals against the restrictions will be handled by the Singapore Police Force.
Enforcement Targets Multiple Offender Categories
The framework applies to several groups: individuals who have been warned, fined, prosecuted, or convicted of mule-related offenses, as well as those under investigation who are assessed to pose continued risks of facilitating scams. High-risk individuals include those who persist in applying for new facilities while under investigation.
Beyond access restrictions, authorities have issued sentencing advisory guidelines recommending enhanced penalties for scam-related offenses. Money mules face more severe consequences, including imprisonment, with penalties under existing laws reaching up to 10 years in prison and fines up to $500,000.
The restrictions on Singpass and Corppass accounts will be implemented in a later phase. These digital identity systems are used for opening bank accounts and accessing government services that criminals could exploit.
In other MAS-related stories: Singaporean Woman Sentenced in £3 Billion Bitcoin Fraud Case
Scam Losses Decline But Remain Substantial
Despite the $456.4 million in losses, Singapore saw a 12.6% decrease in scam losses compared to the same period in 2024, when victims lost approximately $522.4 million. The number of reported cases also fell 26% to 19,665 from 26,563 in the previous year's first half.
Investment scams caused the highest average losses at $53,915 per victim, while government officials impersonation scams averaged $71,842 per case. Phishing scams topped the list by volume with 3,779 reported cases causing $30.4 million in losses.
The authorities emphasized that the scams situation continues to be of serious concern despite the statistical improvements. The facility restriction framework aims to disrupt criminal operations by cutting off access to essential local services that enable international scam syndicates to operate effectively in Singapore.
