Singapore will cane scammers but with cases often involving overseas perpetrators, how effective of a deterrent will it be?
Singapore has approved the use of ‘caning’ as a punishment for scammers, as the government looks to combat a growing trend of financial crime.
The Criminal Law (Miscellaneous Amendments) Bill, passed on November 4, introduces corporal punishment for convicted scammers, with offenders facing between six and 24 strokes of the cane depending on the severity of their crimes.
Those eligible for the punishment include recruiters, syndicate members and money mules, and individuals who provide Singpass credentials, bank accounts or other services to support scam operations.
Under the new law, money mules face discretionary caning of up to 12 strokes.
The idea of caning scammers was first raised in March by Tan Wu Meng, the Member of Parliament (MP) for Jurong Group Representation Constituency (GRC). Tan’s proposal came after a resident in Clementi, one of the areas under her oversight, lost her life savings to a scam.
She questioned whether Singapore was “too soft” on scammers.
Senior Minister of State for Home Affairs Sim Ann later adopted the suggestion, adding it into the new set of legal amendments.
During the debate, some Members of Parliament called for even tougher penalties. MP Xie Yao Quan argued scam-related offences should be treated with the same seriousness as drug trafficking, which in Singapore can carry the death penalty.
“If drugs destroy lives, scams destroy life savings,” Xie said.
A growing national problem
Financial fraud has become one of the most common crimes worldwide, and even Singapore’s strict regulatory framework and fintech leadership have not shielded it from the increase.
According to data presented by Sim Ann during the bill’s second reading, scams now make up 60% of all reported crimes in Singapore. Between 2020 and the first half of 2025, authorities recorded around 190,000 scam cases, resulting in an estimated S$3.7bn (US$2.7bn) in losses.
While the move has drawn attention, especially in countries such as the UK, where corporal punishment is banned, many scams targeting Singaporeans originate abroad, bringing into question the effectiveness of the move.
During the parliamentary debate, Cambodia was repeatedly cited as a key base for scam operations. Sim Ann expressed concern about cross-border syndicates, noting their reach often extends beyond the jurisdiction of Singaporean law.
Cambodia has developed a reputation as a hub for fraud and cybercrime, particularly involving cryptocurrency-linked investment scams. US regulators recently cut Huione Group, a Cambodia-based conglomerate, from the US financial system over allegations of money laundering.
The move forced US payments companies to update their sanctions-screening processes and apply stricter due diligence to transactions involving Cambodia, Laos and Palau, where related entities have been known to operate.
