Singapore Passes Bill: Fraud Offenders to Face Up to 24 Strokes of the Cane | WPN World People News

To combat scam-related crimes, Singapore’s Parliament has passed the "Criminal Law (Miscellaneous Amendments) Bill" after its third reading, introducing tougher penalties — including caning — for those involved in fraud. Individuals who provide SIM cards or data from the national digital identity system, "Singpass", to criminals for scam operations may face at least six and up to 24 strokes of the cane upon conviction.

Aimed at curbing the surge in scam activities, the newly passed bill specifies that offenders involved in serious fraud cases may face long prison sentences, heavy fines, and up to 24 strokes of the cane. The enactment of this law underscores the Singapore government’s zero-tolerance stance toward financial scams and its determination to suppress both local and cross-border fraud networks.

According to the new provisions, those who commit fraud through false information, forged identities, or online means — particularly in cases involving large sums of money, numerous victims, or major social impact — may face prison terms exceeding 10 years, along with judicially imposed caning of up to 24 strokes. This represents one of the harshest penalties for scam-related offenses in Singapore’s history.

The Ministry of Home Affairs noted that scam cases have become one of the country’s most pressing criminal issues. Police statistics show that in 2024, scam cases rose by nearly 40% compared to the previous year, with total losses exceeding S$600 million. Authorities added that many scams are linked to transnational networks that exploit social media, e-commerce platforms, and fake investment sites to deceive victims.

During parliamentary debate, Home Affairs and Law Minister K. Shanmugam stated that Singapore must adopt stronger deterrent measures to safeguard citizens’ assets. He emphasized, “We must not only catch scammers but also ensure they pay the price. Caning is a severe but necessary measure that effectively deters potential offenders.”

Following the bill’s passage, some human rights groups voiced concern, arguing that corporal punishment violates humanitarian principles. However, the government responded that caning has long been part of Singapore’s criminal justice system and is applied only to the most serious and harmful offenses.

Police have also urged the public to remain vigilant, avoid trusting unknown calls and links, and verify all financial transactions through official websites. The new law is expected to take effect in early 2026, granting enforcement agencies stronger legal tools to combat the ever-evolving landscape of scam crimes.