GovTech fighting scams to stop loss of money - and lives

Since July 2023, system it developed with MHA has taken down 42,000 scam sites

- Nadine Chua

When Mr Mark Chen read about a police full-time national serviceman who died by suicide in 2021 after losing over $10,000 in a scam, his heart ached.

Finnegan Tan Yao Jie was only 21 when he was found with a gunshot wound to the head. He had been upset with himself after losing the money to scammers.

Mr Chen, principal product manager of the Government Technology Agency's (GovTech) anti-scam products team, told The Straits Times in July that this case spurred him to want to tackle scams.

He said: "It just broke my heart.

Some people may think that $10,000 isn't a lot, but for the victim, it was too much.

"Some may see scams as an economic problem, but it is not just about losing money. Scams hurt, and it could cost someone's life." Mr Chen and Mr Andre Ng, assistant director at GovTech's antiscam products team, explained how the agency tries to stop scammers.

One way is through the Scam Analytics and Tactical Intervention System (Satis), developed by GovTech and the Ministry of Home Affairs, to detect and quickly take down scam sites.

Since Satis was rolled out in July 2023, it has taken down over 42,000 scam sites, including those impersonating the Singapore Police Force, government agencies and banks.

Mr Chen said his team plans to expand Satis' coverage to online advertisements.

In January, GovTech saw an increase in fake websites claiming to be the official site for people to claim their Community Development Council (CDC) vouchers.