The Scam Public Education Office of the Singapore Police Force (SPF), with support from the Ministry of Manpower, held a Conversation on Safeguarding the Community with Actionable Measures Against Scams (C-SCAMS)[1] for Migrant Workers and Migrant Domestic Workers (MWs and MDWs) on 30 July 2023 at HomeTeamNS Khatib.
The event was attended by Guest-of-Honour Ms Sun Xueling, Minister of State (MOS), Ministry of Home Affairs & Ministry of Social and Family Development, and Chairperson for the Inter-Ministry Committee on Scams. More than 60 participants – including representatives from over 10 organisations that work with MWs and MDWs, dormitory operators, as well as more than 30 MWs and MDWs who are active ambassadors and volunteers within their communities – attended the event.
C-SCAMS on MWs and MDWs
During the C-SCAMS session, participants discussed how to keep Migrant Workers safe from scams and how their respective organisations can work with the SPF and MOM to reach out to them on scams more effectively. Participants also provided feedback on the ScamShield app and shared their views on how to further encourage app downloads.
[1]C-SCAMS is a series of engagement sessions on scams with community partners, launched in 21 November 2022 and this was the third run of C-SCAMS to date.
Engaging Migrant Workers and Migrant Domestic Workers on scams
Migrant Workers and Migrant Domestic Workers working in Singapore have been victims of scams. In 2022, more than 3,500 MWs and MDWs were victims of scams and lost more than $25 million. This was approximately 10% of the total number of scam cases reported.
As such, SPF has been working closely with MOM to engage Migrant Worker communities to raise awareness on scams. As part of the Settling-In-Programme when they first arrive in Singapore, information is shared with them on how to avoid falling prey to scams. Regular anti-scam talks and roadshows are also carried out at dormitories, recreation centres and transport nodes. For example, Bedok Neighbourhood Police Centre (NPC) had organised a Domestic Guardian Workshop in January 2023, which was attended by 168 MDWs. At the event, participants were briefed on general crime prevention measures, including the ACT framework to protect themselves against scams.
SPF and MOM also leverage social media platforms and work with partners to amplify their educational efforts. In the third quarter of 2023, SPF will launch a video competition specially for our Migrant Worker communities to raise awareness on scams, while allowing them to exhibit their creativity in producing anti-scam content for social media. MOM also regularly disseminates anti-scam advisories and resources in the native languages of migrant workers through its social media platforms, Non-Governmental Organisations and community partners. MOM will also be launching an anti-scam campaign targeting Migrant Domestic Workers later this year.
The SPF will continue to work with community partners, including through initiatives such as C-SCAMS, to achieve a scam-smart nation.
Guest-of-Honour Ms Sun Xueling, Minister of State (MOS), Ministry of Home Affairs & Ministry of Social and Family Development, and Chairperson for the Inter-Ministry Committee on Scams giving opening remarks at the C-SCAMS for Migrant Workers and Migrant Domestic Workers. ▼
SINGAPORE POLICE FORCE
30 July 2023 @ 4:15 PM