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At least $8.8m lost to scammers claiming to be ICA officers, fake ads offering help to get S’pore PR

Protect yourself from ICA scams in Singapore involving fake officers and fraudulent PR ads, with tips to verify authenticity and avoid financial loss. Read more at straitstimes.com.

The Straits TimesLaura Chia2026-09-25 16:03查看原文 ↗

至少有880万美元被冒充移民与关卡局（ICA）官员的骗子骗走，这些骗子发布虚假广告，声称可以帮助人们获得新加坡永久居民身份。

Examples of the fake websites and documents of fake advertisements offering help with applying for a Singapore Permanent Resident (PR) status.

PHOTOS: SINGAPORE POLICE FORCE, IMMIGRATION & CHECKPOINTS AUTHORITY

Published Sep 25, 2026, 04:03 PM

Updated Sep 25, 2026, 04:03 PM

At least $8.8 million was lost in 148 scams involving fake ICA officers and fraudulent PR application ads since January, with victims tricked into transferring money or submitting personal details.

Scammers impersonated ICA officers and China officials to demand money for fake investigations or bail, while fake PR ads on social media led victims to pay fees for false approval letters.

Authorities urged the public to apply directly via ICA's website, verify communications, avoid unsolicited requests for money or personal info, and use ScamShield and other tools to detect scams.

SINGAPORE – At least $8.8 million has been lost to scams involving the Immigration and Checkpoints Authority (ICA) since January, the authorities said.

ICA and the police, in a joint statement on Sept 25, said there have been at least 148 reported cases across two different types of scams.

One involved scammers impersonating ICA officers to demand money and the other involved fake advertisements offering help with applying for a Singapore Permanent Resident (PR) status.

In the first scenario, victims would receive calls from scammers claiming to be from ICA, who would tell victims that their personal details have been misused , or that their phone numbers have been linked to criminal activities, such as transmitting scam messages.

The calls would then be transferred to another scammer impersonating a China official, who would demand that victims transfer monies or hand over cash for “investigation” or “bail” purposes.

In some cases, victims were also asked to meet unknown individuals to sign fake documents.

Most victims would realise that they had been scammed only after making multiple monetary transfers or when the scammer became uncontactable.

At least 117 of such cases have been reported since January, with at least $8.4 million lost.

In the second scenario, victims would come across advertisements on social media platforms, such as Facebook, offering help with getting PR status in Singapore.

Those who click on the advertisements would be directed to the website of a fake consultancy agency where they would be prompted to submit their personal particulars, including their mobile numbers, through a form.

The scammers would then contact the victims via WhatsApp and ask them to pay “fees” ranging from $200 to $90,000 to proceed with the PR application.

This is done “under the pretext of improving their chances of success through investments in companies, purchases of academic certifications and donations”, said the statement.

The victims were instructed to make bank transfers or pay cash to unknown individuals, before receiving a fake automated acknowledgement e-mail supposedly from the ICA.

The e-mail would contain an attachment of a fake InPrinciple Approval (IPA) letter bearing the ICA letterhead.

Some victims realised they had been scammed only when they asked ICA to verify the authenticity of the IPA letters.

The ICA has been alerted to at least 31 reports of cases involving such fake e-mails, resulting in losses of at least $400,000.

The Straits Times earlier reported that a 62-year-old Malaysian woman had lost RM762,700 (S$238,500) after falling for such a ruse.

“ICA is aware of commercial entities or consultants who claim to be able to help applicants improve their chances of success in obtaining long-term immigration facilities such as Singapore PR,” the statement said.

“ICA does not support or endorse such services. Applicants who choose to engage commercial entities or consultants are advised to exercise caution.”

The authority has advised the public to submit any applications directly to ICA on its website.

Those who want to verify if a call or e-mail is from the ICA can do so via its feedback form or over the phone.

The police and ICA also reminded the public that Singapore Government officials will not ask anyone to transfer or hand over money, luxury watches gold or cryptocurrency, borrow from licensed moneylenders, share banking log-in details, install mobile apps from unverified app stores, or transfer calls to the police or other government officials.

“Do not trust unsolicited communications, even if the caller appears to have your personal information,” said the statement.

They also encouraged the public to add the ScamShield app and set up security features for bank accounts and internet banking transactions, and check for signs of scam with official sources.

The public can check the legitimacy of suspicious messages, phone numbers and website links via the ScamShield app or website.

They can also use the Infocomm Media Development Authority’s SIMCardHowMany tool to verify the number of postpaid SIM cards registered under their name.

Any discrepancies should be reported to their telco and the police immediately, said the statement.

Internet crimes and scams

以下是一些虚假网站和虚假广告文件的示例，这些网站和文件声称可以帮助申请新加坡永久居民（PR）身份。

照片来源：新加坡警察部队、移民与关卡局

发布于 2026 年 9 月 25 日下午 4:03

更新于2026年9月25日下午4:03

自今年1月以来，涉及假冒移民与关卡局官员和虚假永久居民申请广告的148起诈骗案造成至少880万美元的损失，受害者被骗转账或提交个人信息。

诈骗分子冒充移民与关卡局官员和中国官员，以虚假调查或保释为由索要钱财；同时，社交媒体上的虚假公关广告诱使受害者支付费用以获取虚假的批准信。

当局敦促公众直接通过ICA网站申请，核实沟通信息，避免主动索要钱财或个人信息，并使用ScamShield和其他工具来识别诈骗。

新加坡——当局表示，自今年1月以来，涉及移民与关卡局（ICA）的诈骗案已造成至少880万美元的损失。

移民与关卡局和警方在9月25日发表的联合声明中表示，已接到至少148起涉及两种不同类型诈骗的报案。

其中一起案件涉及诈骗分子冒充移民与关卡局 (ICA) 官员索要钱财，另一起案件涉及虚假广告，声称可以帮助申请新加坡永久居民 (PR) 身份。