Singaporean scam victims lost 294.79 million USD in H1
The scam situation in Singapore has worsened, with the number of cases rising 16.3% to 26,587, and victims losing a record high of over 385.6 million SGD (294.79 million USD) in the first six months of this year.
The scam situation in Singapore has worsened (Photo: The Straits Times)
Hanoi (VNA) – The scam situation in Singapore has worsened, with the number of cases rising 16.3% to 26,587, and victims losing a record high of over 385.6 million SGD (294.79 million USD) in the first six months of this year.
According to the police’s mid-year scam and cyber-crime statistics released on August 22, if the trend continues, scam losses could exceed 770 million SGD by the end of 2024, setting a new record compared to the annual high of 660.7 million SGD in 2022.
In 86% of the cases, the scammers did not gain control of the victims’ accounts but had manipulated them into transferring money to the criminals.
Facebook, Instagram and Whatsapp, scammers were the consistently over-represented among the platforms used by scammers in the period. In more than 7,700 cases in where scammers contacted victims via social media, Facebook was used in 64.4% of them, and Instagram 18.6%. Meanwhile, in more than 8,300 cases where scammers reached victims via messaging platforms, Whatsapp was used in 50.2% of them, and Telegram 45%.
At a media briefing, Singapore's Minister of State for Home Affairs Sun Xueling said the figures are worrying, adding investment and government official impersonation scams were of particular concern.
During January-June, the police worked with banks, and prevented over 204 million SGD of potential losses to scams. The police’s Anti-Scam Command deleted 2,700 scam-tainted accounts, and took down suspicious advertisements in the period.
A pilot programme to verify the identity of risky sellers on Facebook Marketplace and risky advertisers on Facebook began in June. The programme is believed to be the first globally./.
Eligible Singaporeans will receive between 200 SGD (151.9 USD) and 400 SGD (303.7 USD) next month, as part of measures to help them cope with rising cost of living, Singapore’s Ministry of Finance (MoF) announced on August 13.
Singapore on August 13 upgraded its economic growth forecast for this year after beating expectations in the second quarter and on optimism that the manufacturing sector will gradually recover.
Malaysia, as ASEAN 2025 Chair, marked the bloc’s 58th founding anniversary on August 8 with a vibrant celebration in Cyberjaya, blending an official ceremony with a colorful cultural festival.
Vietnam plays an important role in Southeast Asia’s economic growth and is a key partner of her country in realising the shared vision of a peaceful, stable, and prosperous region, said Robyn Mudie, First Assistant Secretary of Office of Southeast Asia (OSA) – Southeast Asia Regional and Mainland Division at Australia’s Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT).
The 2025 ASEAN Business Community Development (ABCD) Forum, themed “Empowering ASEAN's Next Leap: Digital, Sustainable & Entrepreneurial Transformation” brought together ministers, CEOs, and top industry experts to discuss key regional economic priorities.
The DES Ministry will seek cooperation from social media platforms to prevent the spread of fake news and monitor accounts related to such activities, he told reporters after chairing a meeting of the newly established Anti-Fake News Centre (AFNC).
The Joint Standing Committee on Commerce, Industry and Banking identified the US tariff reduction as a significant driver behind the improved economic outlook for Thailand.
Financial institutions and financial technology (fintech) players are intensifying their focus on expanding across the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), adopting tailored strategies to strengthen their presence in the region’s digital financial services landscape.
Featuring a permanent exhibition area, the ASEAN Hall will function both as a cultural showcase and as a dynamic venue for ASEAN-related events and programmes. Its inauguration on ASEAN Day added symbolic weight, marking a fresh milestone in ASEAN–RoK relations.
Thailand’s Ministry of Commerce and rice exporters are devising strategic plans to boost rice exports amid global market fluctuations, focusing on key markets and adjusting output.
The focus of the upcoming ASEAN Summit in October will be on strengthening economic relations through intra-regional trade and investment, as well as regional initiatives on energy networks and connectivity.
Indonesian Ambassador Rina P. Soemarno, who currently serves as Chair of the ASEAN Committee in Prague, emphasised the spirit of regional solidarity and cooperation, and the importance of enhancing ASEAN–Czech Republic relations.
The Indonesian Government is determined to seize opportunities to enhance the competitiveness of national agricultural products, an official has said, adding that it always strives to promote exports at the highest possible level, based on a mutually beneficial foundation.
Finance Minister Pichai Chunhavajira has outlined a six-point strategy to promote innovation, support small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), and push for Thailand's removal from the US Trade Representative (USTR)’s special 301 Watch List regarding intellectual property rights protection among trading partners.
Vietnamese Ambassador to Israel Ly Duc Trung emphasised ASEAN’s central role in regional mechanisms such as the ASEAN Regional Forum (ARF) and the East Asia Summit (EAS), highlighting its significant contribution to promoting peace, stability, and prosperity in Southeast Asia.
The consumer index of the University of the Thai Chamber of Commerce (UTCC), fell to 51.7 in July from 52.7 in the previous month. The sluggish economy and the trade war, as well as high living costs, continue to undermine confidence, the university said.
Deputy Speaker of the Hungarian National Assembly Istvan Jakab expressed his hope for further deepening Hungary’s ties with ASEAN countries and called for their support for Hungary’s accession to the Treaty of Amity and Cooperation in Southeast Asia.
The 30-storey tower crumbled seconds after a 7.7-magnitude earthquake hit neighbouring Myanmar on March 28. The partially built high-rise, meant to house the State Audit Office (SAO), was the only building in Thailand to collapse, killing 89 people on the site, mostly construction workers.
Indonesia’s waste generation is projected to exceed 50 million tonnes in 2025. Of the total, more than 20 million tonnes could potentially enter the ocean through rivers, coastal areas, small islands, ports, and marine activities, and thereby, pose a risk to coastal ecosystems and marine biota.
Indonesia is accelerating plans to increase lithium imports, particularly from Australia, in a bid to fill gaps in the electric vehicle (EV) battery supply chain and realise its ambition of becoming a global EV manufacturing hub.
Malaysia’s gross expenditure on R&D (GERD) reached 1.01% of gross domestic product in 2022, a notable increase, with more than 51% contributed by the industry sector. The country is targeting GERD to reach 2.5% by 2030, in line with the national goal of transforming into a high-technology nation.
