ISTANBUL, Nov 4 — Singapore will impose caning as part of mandatory punishment for scammers under a new criminal law ratified on Tuesday, after the nation lost nearly SG$4 billion (RM12.86 billion) to scams over the past six years.
Anadolu Ajansi reported that those convicted of running or aiding scam syndicates will face at least six strokes of the cane, in addition to fines and prison sentences.
It quoted The Straits Times as saying that the maximum punishment is 24 strokes, depending on the severity of the offence.
Under the new law, syndicate members, recruiters and accomplices, including money mules who provide bank accounts, SIM cards, or digital identities, will also be held accountable.
Singapore has lost more than SG$3.4 billion (RM10.93 billion) to scams since 2019. In 2024 alone, victims lost a record SG$1.1 billion (RM3.54 billion).
Other amendments in the bill include tougher penalties on sexual offences, fatal abuse of vulnerable victims, doxxing of public servants, and the distribution of obscene material.
Those who circulate obscene content to 10 or more people can face up to two years in prison or up to four years if the offender is under 18. For sexual grooming, the maximum jail term will rise to seven years for victims under 14 and five years for those aged 14 to 17.
Singapore’s jurisdiction will also expand to cover cases where offenders or victims travel abroad. The maximum jail time for those who fatally abuse vulnerable victims has also been increased from 20 years to 30 years or life imprisonment.
