Scam watch
Every scam pattern hitting Filipinos in Singapore
Scams against Filipinos in Singapore come in waves — first phishing texts, then recruitment scams pivoting to Cambodia, then PayNow tricks, then deepfake video calls. This hub gathers our scam-pattern reporting in one place, organised by the type of attack and the response.
If money has already moved: screenshot everything, file a report with the Singapore Police Force at 999 (emergency) or 1800 255 0000 (non-emergency), and tell your bank within 24 hours. For Philippine-side channels (GCash, BDO, BPI, GoTyme), dispute through their official app.
Job and recruitment scams
Fake overseas-job postings, illegal placement fees, the Cambodia/Myanmar pivot, and how to verify a DMW-licensed agency before you, or your tita, send a peso.
- DMW Pulled Down 200,000+ Fake OFW Job Ads. Here Is How to Spot a Real Posting from Singapore.
The Department of Migrant Workers said in May 2026 it has removed more than 200,000 fake overseas-job postings since 2020. 146,871 on Facebook, 57,557 on TikTok. The crackdown grows in 2026. Here is the five-second check that beats most of the scams hitting Filipinos in Singapore.
- How to Avoid Fake Job Offers in Singapore
Fake job offers are common, and they’re costly. Here’s how to tell a real Singapore offer from a scam before you pay or resign.
- Yung 'Pinay Agency' na Nagbenta ng EP. How the Fake-Agency Scam Works
Walang officially-named na agency dito. Pero may pattern na SPF, MOM, at Embassy ang lahat in-alert about, fake recruiters at fake PR agencies na naghahatid sa kababayan sa illegal-worker status. Read at protektahan ang sarili.
Phishing, GCash and BDO
Phishing sites targeting Philippine banks and e-wallets surged 423% in 2025. Here is how to keep GCash, BDO and your Singapore SGFinDex-linked accounts safe.
- Phishing Scams Targeting OFWs Surged 423% in 2025. Here Is How to Keep Your GCash and BDO Safe from Singapore.
Phishing sites pretending to be Philippine banks and e-wallets jumped from 731 in 2024 to 3,824 in 2025. GCash blocked 4,900 quishing merchants in April 2026 alone. Here are the patterns hitting OFWs in Singapore right now, and the rules that beat most of them.
- 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.
- Bawal Maging Biktima: The 9 Types of Scams in Singapore Right Now (and What Makes Filipinos Especially Vulnerable)
Bumagsak ang scam losses sa SG noong 2025, pero S$913 million pa rin ang nawala. Eto ang complete map ng mga scam na umiikot sa atin ngayon, ang red flags, at ano ang gawin kung biktima ka.
Singapore-specific scams aimed at the Filipino community
PayNow trick transfers, deepfake video calls pretending to be the PM, fake PR-application agencies. The May 2026 wave.
- 3 Pinoy-Targeted Scams Currently Going Around SG (May 2026)
SPF advisory blast: fake PR-application agencies, government-official impersonation, job-task scams. Eto ang 3 specific scams na umiikot sa Pinoy community sa SG ngayong Mayo 2026. Read this before clicking.
- Bigla Kang May S$160 sa PayNow Mo? Bagong Scam Modus sa SG, Ibinahagi ng Singaporean
Isang Singaporean ang biglang nakatanggap ng S$160 sa PayNow niya noong 16 May, galing sa unknown number. Tinanggihan niyang isauli, at salamat doon, lumantad ang isang scam pattern na hindi pa madalas napag-uusapan.
- Singapore Businessman Loses S$4.9 Million in Deepfake Zoom Call with 'PM Lawrence Wong'
Scammers used AI deepfake video to impersonate PM Wong, President Tharman, Minister Indranee, and MAS officials in a fake Zoom call. The victim transferred S$4.9 million. SPF has released footage and is warning all Singapore residents, including Filipinos, about this escalating scam.
Loan-shark and fake-loan schemes
Ah Long advertising on Carousell and Telegram, fake legitimate-loan offers, and what to do if you have already paid.
- Loan Shark and Fake Loan Scams: How to Avoid Them
The "fast loan, approved in 5 minutes" SMS is either from a loan shark or a scammer. Here is how to tell which, and how to stay out of both.
- What to Do If You Got Scammed by a Fake Loan Offer
First, breathe. Then move fast. Here is what to do in the first hour, the first day, and the first week after a fake loan scam in Singapore.
- Na-scam Ka, May Nanghaharass sa iyo na Loan Shark?
Mga taong tumatawag at nagba-bantang "papuntahan ko mga tao sa bahay mo", kadalasan, hindi sila nasa SG. Eto ang totoong gawin mo para protektahan ang sarili at pamilya.
Protect yourself first
ScamShield, two-factor auth, and the five-second checks that beat the most common schemes.
- Why Every Filipino in Singapore Should Install ScamShield
Singapore’s scam problem has gotten bad enough that the government built a free app to fight back. Here’s why you want it on your phone.
Report a new scam pattern
Seen a scam targeting Filipinos in Singapore that we have not covered? Tell us at editorial@filipinos.sg with screenshots and the channel where you saw it. We will verify and publish a warning. See our editorial standards.