Singapore Cracks Down on Scam Mules with Banking and Telecom Restrictions

Singapore authorities will begin phasing in new restrictions against scam mules from October 2025 to curb scams. Scam mules are individuals who knowingly provide access to local facilities used to perpetrate fraud.

In a joint initiative, the Singapore Police Force (SPF), Monetary Authority of Singapore (MAS), Infocomm Media Development Authority (IMDA), and Government Technology Agency (GovTech) will work with industry partners to block scam mules from exploiting banking, telecommunications, and national authentication services such as Singpass and Corppass.

The move comes amid mounting concern over scam-related crimes. In the first half of 2025, Singapore recorded 19,665 scam cases, with losses totaling S$456.4 million, according to SPF data.

Authorities say scammers rely heavily on local infrastructure—including bank accounts, mobile lines, and digital IDs—often purchased from mules seeking quick profits. Mule bank accounts are used to transfer illicit funds. Scammers also often use internet banking, PayNow, card transactions, ATM withdrawals, and, increasingly, anonymous cryptocurrency transactions.

Local phone numbers are especially coveted, as they boost victim response rates and enable scammers to register social media accounts for outreach. In 2025, about 15% of mobile lines used in scams were linked to repeat mule offenders, with over 11,000 lines subscribed. Some mules kept applying for lines and selling them to scammers even while under investigation. Police also found growing scam-linked lines registered under corporate entities.

Details of Facility Restriction Framework

Under the new framework, individuals previously warned, fined, prosecuted, or convicted for mule-related offences—as well as those under investigation deemed at further risk—may face:

• Banking restrictions: Limited access to digital banking, card-based transactions, and ATM services
• Telecom bans: Prohibition on subscribing to new mobile lines
• Digital ID controls: Restricted use of existing Singpass and Corppass accounts for services that are at higher risk of being exploited for scams, such as opening bank accounts

The implementation will begin in October, starting with banking and telecom restrictions. Singpass and Corppass limitations will follow in later phases. Individuals who had previously been dealt with for mule-related offences, and those still under investigation, will be notified by SPF, which will also handle appeals against the restrictions. 

Sentencing advisory guidelines have been issued to recommend harsher penalties for scam-related offences. Scam mules may face imprisonment.

Singapore authorities have been cracking down on scam mules. Recent enforcement actions include the jailing of a woman who allowed her bank account to be used to receive over S$139,000 in exchange for payment, and the arrest of 18 individuals for suspected involvement in money mule activities.