Mandatory caning for scammers from Dec 30; stiffer penalties for speedsters from Jan 1

Scammers, and members and recruiters of scam syndicates, will face mandatory caning of at least six strokes from Dec 30.

- Zaihan Mohamed Yusof Senior Correspondent

This can go up to 24 strokes depending on the severity of the offence.

The enhanced penalties were introduced amid reports that showed people in Singapore have lost more than $3.4 billion to scams since 2019.

The Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) on Dec 19 said that the number of scam cases and scam losses remain concerning.

Besides syndicate members, scam mules who enable scammers by laundering scam proceeds, providing SIM cards and providing Singpass credentials will face discretionary caning of up to 12 strokes.

Offenders who commit non-scam, cheating cases will also be liable for discretionary caning of up to 24 strokes.

"This recognises that there are egregious traditional cheating cases that could also warrant caning as a sentencing option," said the ministry.

Mandatory caning was introduced for certain scam and cheating offences after amendments to the Criminal Law (Miscellaneous Amendments) Act were passed in November.