The Police would like to remind members of the public that it is an offence to sell your Singpass credentials for wrongful gain or disclose them without first ascertaining the identity and physical location of the requestor. Police have detected several fraudulent online job offers posted by scammers seeking Singpass credentials from victims, on the pretext of job screening. Your Singpass password is private. Legitimate employers will not ask job applicants to disclose your Singpass credentials and password or send you a Singpass QR code for scanning to access your Singpass account in order to apply for a job. Since 1 January 2024, at least 219 victims have fallen prey to such scams.
Victims typically came across fraudulent job offers online or on communication platforms such as Telegram or WhatsApp chatgroups. When the victim contacted the scammer and expressed interest in the job offer, the scammer would send screenshots of Singpass QR codes for the victim to scan through their mobile devices to authorise profile information retrieval on the pretext of job screening (e.g., checks on background/criminal records, vaccination status, citizenship etc). Victims who authorised the profile retrieval request(s) would eventually realise that they had been scammed when they discovered bank accounts opened using their Singpass.
In other cases, prior to scamming the victim into authorising a profile retrieval, scammers would deceive the victim into scanning screenshots of Singpass QR codes to authorise the scammers’ access to the victim’s Singpass account. The scammers would then change the registered contact number(s) and email address(es) so that the victim could no longer receive account notifications.
The Police would like to remind members of the public not to disclose your Singpass passwords or 2FA details. Members of the public should be vigilant and not authorise or scan any Singpass QR codes sent by SMS or messaging platforms such as WhatsApp or Telegram. Users who need to access a digital service via Singpass should do so via the organisation’s website.
The Police would like to advise members of the public to adopt the following precautionary measures:
- ADD – Add the ScamShield App to protect yourself from scam calls and SMSes. Set security features (e.g. set up transaction limits for internet banking transactions, enable Two-Factor Authentication (2FA), Multifactor Authentication for bank accounts and e-wallets).
- CHECK – Check for scam signs and with official sources (e.g., visit www.scamalert.sg or call the Anti-Scam Helpline at 1800-722-6688). Do not share your Singpass credentials with unknown persons.
- TELL – Tell the Authorities, family, and friends about scams. Report any fraudulent transactions to the bank immediately. If you suspect that your Singpass account has been compromised, please call the Singpass Helpdesk at 6335 3533 and press “9” for 24-hour support.
If you have any information relating to such crimes or if you are in doubt, please call the Police Hotline at 1800-255-0000, or submit it online at www.police.gov.sg/iwitness. All information will be kept strictly confidential. If you require urgent Police assistance, please dial ‘999’.
For more information on scams, members of the public can visit www.scamalert.sg or call the Anti-Scam Helpline at 1800-722-6688. Fighting scams is a community effort. Together, we can ACT Against Scams to safeguard our community!
Annex
Screenshots of fraudulent online job offers and conversation with scammers ▼
SINGAPORE POLICE FORCE
17 May 2024 @ 9:50 PM