Not only India, Singapore is also troubled by the increasing cases of fraud. In view of the flood of online fraud and scams, the Singapore government has now decided to take the strictest measures. Under the new law, fraudsters will be punished with jail and fine as well as flogging, so that fear of the law can be created among the fraudsters.
The government has announced that from December 30, people committing fraud will be given mandatory punishment of flogging (caning). Under the new law, the culprits can be given 6 to 24 lashes. The government has a clear message that now cheating will not be limited to just jail and fine, but will also have to face physical punishment.
What changed in the law?
The punishments have been made more stringent after changes in the criminal law passed by Parliament last month. The Ministry of Home Affairs said that these amendments were necessary so that the laws remain effective, fair and in line with changing challenges.
Now, along with jail and heavy fine, caning has also been made an important part of the punishment.
Who will get how much punishment?
Under the new rules, scammers, recruitment agents and members of scam syndicates will be given 6 to 24 lashes. People who knowingly give away their bank account or personal information for fraud or money laundering will be given an alternative punishment of up to 12 lashes. In other types of fraud cases also, the court can give punishment of caning.
Why did the government become strict?
The Home Ministry has clearly said that fighting fraud is a national priority. The figures are also shocking. According to Senior Minister of Home and Foreign Affairs Sim Ann, 60% of the total crimes recorded in Singapore from 2020 to the first half of 2025 were fraud cases and about 1.9 lakh fraud cases were reported. In these, people suffered a loss of approximately 3.7 billion Singapore dollars (about 2.8 billion US dollars).
What are the most common scams?
According to the Government Technology Agency of Singapore, the most common fraud methods in the country are phishing scams and fake job offers.
E-commerce and online shopping frauds, investment scams to get rich quick, frauds done by impersonating government or bank officials.
What is canning and why is it controversial?
Judicial caning is a form of corporal punishment previously implemented in Singapore, consisting of flogging on the bare buttocks with a rattan stick. This punishment is usually given to male criminals under the age of 50 and is already applied in serious cases such as robbery and sexual crimes. This punishment dates back to the British colonial era and is also given in Malaysia and Brunei.
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