Singapore Introduces Caning as Mandatory Punishment for Scammers
New law makes caning compulsory for scam offenders as Singapore steps up fight against online and financial fraud.
- Singapore passes new law making caning mandatory for scammers
- Offenders face up to 24 strokes, jail terms, and fines
- Move aims to curb rising online and financial fraud cases
Singapore has passed a stringent new criminal law introducing mandatory caning for individuals convicted of scams or aiding scam operations, as part of a sweeping crackdown on financial and online fraud.
Under the new legislation, offenders found guilty of running or assisting scam syndicates will face a minimum of six strokes of the cane, alongside prison sentences and fines. In severe cases, the punishment could reach up to 24 strokes, The Straits Times reported.
The law targets not only scam masterminds but also accomplices — including recruiters, money mules, and those who supply bank accounts, SIM cards, or digital identities to fraud networks.
Authorities said the tougher sanctions are a necessary response to the sharp rise in scam-related crimes. Since 2019, scams have cost Singapore over $3.4 billion, with $1.1 billion lost in 2024 alone and another $600 million reported in just the first eight months of 2025.
The Home Affairs Minister, who tabled the bill, described it as “a strong deterrent to a growing national threat undermining public confidence and security.”
The legislation also expands penalties for other serious offences, including sexual crimes, fatal abuse of vulnerable individuals, and the doxxing of public officials. It extends Singapore’s jurisdiction to cover cross-border crimes involving Singaporean citizens.
Under the new provisions:
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Those found guilty of distributing obscene material to 10 or more people face up to two years in jail.
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Offenders under 18 distributing such content face up to four years.
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The maximum penalty for sexual grooming has increased to seven years for victims under 14, and five years for those aged 14–17.
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Penalties for fatal abuse of vulnerable persons now carry up to 30 years’ imprisonment or life, up from 20 years.
Singapore, known for its strict legal regime, has long used corporal punishment as a deterrent. The inclusion of caning for scam-related crimes underscores the government’s determination to combat fraud and restore public trust amid escalating cyber and financial crimes.
