Editor's Note
This editor’s note highlights the key facts and market implications behind “Singapore Imposes Caning on Scammers, Up to 24 S”, with emphasis on sourcing, product fit, fabrication, logistics, or buyer impact.
Singapore's government announced on December 20 that, in response to a surge in telecom fraud cases, scammers will face mandatory caning starting December 30, with a maximum penalty of 24 strokes, under a criminal law amendment passed by Parliament in November.
Singapore's Parliament passed the criminal law amendment last month, adding caning to the existing penalties of imprisonment and fines for fraud offenders. The Ministry of Home Affairs stated that increasing penalties for scammers "ensures our criminal laws remain just, effective, and able to address emerging challenges."
Under the amendment, fraud offenders will face a minimum of 6 and a maximum of 24 strokes of the cane. This applies to individuals who recruit others for fraudulent activities and members of fraud syndicates. Additionally, those who knowingly provide their bank accounts or other personal information for use in committing or assisting in money laundering from fraud proceeds will face up to 12 strokes of the cane.
Senior Minister of State for Home Affairs and Foreign Affairs Sim Ann stated that from 2020 to the first half of 2025, Singapore reported 190,000 fraud cases, accounting for 60% of all criminal offenses, with losses amounting to nearly 3.7 billion Singapore dollars. According to the website of Singapore's Government Technology Agency, the five main types of fraud in the country involve phishing, fake job advertisements, e-commerce and online shopping, high-return investment scams, and impersonation scams. Caning is a form of corporal punishment involving strokes with a rattan cane on the bare buttocks. In Singapore, it is imposed on male offenders under 50 years old convicted of robbery and sexual crimes, in addition to imprisonment.
Source: Read the original article | Published: December 21, 2025