Common Money Scams in Singapore That Filipinos Should Watch Out For
Scams in Singapore aren’t random — they follow patterns. Know them, and you’re already half-protected.
By FIS Editorial·
Share
Scams are the largest category of crime reported in Singapore. They don’t happen only to old people or the careless — they hit busy, distracted, overseas workers all the time. The trick is not that scammers are clever; it’s that they catch you on a tired day.
The link looks like a government or courier domain but isn’t. Clicking it leads to a fake login page or installs a malicious app that can drain your bank account.
Rule: government agencies (ICA, MOM, IRAS, Singpass, HDB) do not ask for logins or payment via SMS links. Go to the app or website directly. Use the ScamShield app to auto-filter these SMS — scamshield.gov.sg.
2. Government agency impersonation scams
Someone calls or messages claiming to be from:
Singapore Police
ICA
MOM
Singapore courts
"Anti-money laundering unit"
They say your pass is about to be cancelled, or that you’re linked to a crime, and demand you pay or transfer money to "clear your name".
Rule: Singapore authorities will never call asking you to transfer money, share OTPs, or move cash to a "safe account". Hang up. Verify directly via official numbers on police.gov.sg and mom.gov.sg.
3. Philippine agency impersonation scams
You get a message from someone claiming to be from the Philippine Embassy, DMW (Department of Migrant Workers), SSS, Pag-IBIG, PhilHealth, or BIR. They claim there’s a problem with your account or documents, and ask for an urgent fee or OTP.
Rule: these agencies will never ask for payments or OTPs via Facebook Messenger, Viber, or SMS. Verify directly on philembassy.sg and dmw.gov.ph.
4. Investment and "get rich" scams
Promises of guaranteed high returns from crypto, forex, offshore trading, or even agricultural schemes. Often promoted via Facebook, TikTok, Telegram, or an "old friend" that messaged you out of the blue.
Red flags:
Guaranteed returns.
Pressure to join a "group".
Complicated withdrawal rules once money is in.
No MAS licensing.
Rule: legitimate investment providers in Singapore are regulated by MAS. Check licensed entities and the MAS Investor Alert List on mas.gov.sg. Any provider not there is not to be trusted.
5. Romance and "dating app" scams
Someone meets you on Tinder, Facebook, a dating app, or a random DM. Over weeks, they build trust. Then a "problem" comes up — a business opportunity, a medical emergency, customs fees — and they need you to send money.
Patterns to watch:
Won’t video-call, or only briefly.
Profile is too polished; photos feel curated.
Moves to a private chat app quickly.
Small favours first, bigger ones later.
Story doesn’t stay consistent.
Rule: never send money to someone you’ve never met in person, regardless of how long you’ve been chatting. This scam type has cost OFWs hundreds of thousands.
6. E-commerce and marketplace scams
Fake listings on Facebook Marketplace, Carousell, or Instagram. You pay via PayNow or bank transfer, the "seller" disappears, or the item is fake.
Advertisement
Rule: prefer in-app or escrowed payment where possible, meet in person for high-value items, and be wary of sellers who demand full payment via direct bank transfer before any delivery.
7. Job and employment scams
Especially painful because it targets people looking for opportunities. Patterns include:
A job offer for a Singapore role asking you to pay placement, "training", or visa fees upfront.
Offers that look Singapore-based but route payments overseas.
"Work from home for XXXX daily" schemes.
Offers without an actual In-Principle Approval (IPA) or proper contract.
Rule: for jobs in Singapore, legitimate employers handle the Work Permit / S Pass / EP application on your behalf through MOM. Verify your IPA exists on MOM’s system via mom.gov.sg. See our full guide on how to avoid fake job offers in Singapore.
For Philippine-side agency verification, check licensed recruitment agencies on dmw.gov.ph.
8. Loan scams and fake money lenders
Unsolicited SMS or WhatsApp offering easy loans, often targeting foreign workers. They may pose as a licensed moneylender, ask for upfront "processing fees", and then harass you for payments at exorbitant rates.
Rule: licensed moneylenders in Singapore are listed by the Ministry of Law at mlaw.gov.sg. They are not allowed to solicit via SMS or WhatsApp. If anyone does, it’s illegal. Full details in our loan shark and fake loan scams article.
9. Remittance-related scams
Fake remittance apps, unlicensed "friend-of-a-friend" remitters, and "too good to be true" exchange rates in Facebook groups.
Often sold as "business opportunity" for OFWs. Pay to join, recruit others, earn from recruitment — that’s the classic pyramid pattern. These are illegal in most forms.
Rule: if the income depends primarily on recruiting others (not selling a real product to real customers), walk away.
If you’ve been scammed
1. Stop sending money or information immediately. Do not try to "recover" via any service that approaches you offering to help — that’s often scam round two.
2. Call your bank’s 24-hour fraud hotline if any of your accounts are at risk.
3. Report to the police via police.gov.sg and file details through ScamShield at scamshield.gov.sg. For urgent cases where you are in immediate danger, call 999.
4. For employment or pass-related scams, contact MOM via mom.gov.sg. For remittance or MAS-licensed providers, report via mas.gov.sg.
5. For Philippine-side reporting, contact the Philippine Embassy Singapore via philembassy.sg and the DMW via dmw.gov.ph.
6. Save everything — screenshots, chat logs, transfer references, SMS. This is evidence.
How to stay ahead
Install the ScamShield app.
Don’t click links from SMS; go to official apps directly.
Never share OTPs, even with "your bank".
Treat "guaranteed returns" as a red flag by default.
When in doubt, ask in a trusted Filipino community group before paying or sending anything.
Final note
The harsh truth: most OFWs who get scammed in Singapore were tired, rushed, or emotionally triggered at the moment they clicked or transferred. Train one habit — if a message, call, or offer creates urgency, pause. Ask someone. Re-check. Ten minutes of pause has saved more money than all the smart tips combined.
Last reviewed April 2026. Scam tactics evolve. Always cross-check with the official Singapore Police, ScamShield, and MAS sources linked above for the latest warnings.
