Singapore Central Bank MAS & Police Issue Warning to Public of Impersonation Scams on China Messaging & Payment Platforms Including WeChat, UnionPay & Alipay, 678 Cases Reported with $12.9 Million Losses Since 2025 January
5th April 2025 | Hong Kong
The Singapore Police Force and central bank Monetary Authority of Singapore (MAS) have issued a warning to public of impersonation scams on China messaging & payment platforms including WeChat, UnionPay & Alipay. Since 2025 January, 678 cases had been reported with $12.9 million (S$17.4 million) losses. Announcement (4/4/25): “The Singapore Police Force and Monetary Authority of Singapore (MAS) would like to remind members of the public to remain vigilant against impersonation scams involving Chinese messaging and payment platforms such as WeChat, UnionPay or Alipay. Since January 2025, at least 678 cases were reported, with total losses amounting to at least S$17.4 million. In this scam variant, victims would receive unsolicited calls from local mobile numbers such as “8xxx xxxx” or “+65 xxxx xxxx”, impersonating WeChat, UnionPay or Alipay staff. The scammer would typically inform victims that a subscription which they had signed up for (e.g. insurance coverage, WeChat subscription, Alipay subscription) was about to expire. The scammer would then direct the victims to switch to WhatsApp to continue the conversation. The scammer would inform the victims that the fees would be automatically deducted from their bank accounts linked to the platforms of WeChat, UnionPay, or Alipay unless the victims cancelled the subscriptions. To cancel the subscription, victims would have to verify their identities by providing their personal information. Victims would also be asked to verify their bank accounts by performing bank transfers to a specified bank account. In some cases, victims would be guided to perform these transfers through WhatsApp’s screen-sharing function. The scammers would assure victims that their monies would be refunded upon successful cancellation of the subscriptions.” More info below:
“ Singapore Central Bank MAS & Police Issue Warning to Public of Impersonation Scams on China Messaging & Payment Platforms Including WeChat, UnionPay & Alipay, 678 Cases Reported with $12.9 Million Losses Since 2025 January “
In some of the cases, the scammer would attempt to bolster their credibility or pressure the victims through the following:
- a. Sending victims fake documents of the alleged subscriptions with the victims’ personal information printed on them through WhatsApp.
- b. Redirecting victims to a second scammer impersonating an MAS officer who would inform victims that their bank accounts had been implicated in money laundering activities and they would have to transfer monies to a specified bank account for the purpose of assisting in investigations. In some cases, victims were engaged in a video call with the scammer impersonating as a MAS officer in blue uniform.
- c. Sending victims fake documents of a court order or arrest warrant from MAS with the victims’ details through WhatsApp.
Victims would only realise that they had been scammed when the scammers became uncontactable, or when they did not receive the promised refunds.
The Police would like to remind members of the public that:
- A “+” prefix means that the call originates from overseas. Think twice before picking up the call.
- Do not trust someone just because he/she has your personal information (e.g. name or NRIC).
- Do not transfer money or disclose your personal details to unknown persons.
- Do not share your device screen with others when performing banking transactions as this may allow scammers to obtain your person details and banking credentials.
- Government SMSes will only be sent from the gov.sg SMS Sender ID.
- MAS officers do not wear uniforms, and they do not have powers to issue warrants of arrest. If you see a uniformed “MAS officer” over WhatsApp who threatens to arrest you, the officer is likely a scammer and should beignored.
Singapore Government officials will never ask members of the public to do the following over the phone:
- a. Ask you to transfer money;
- b. Ask you to disclose banking details;
- c. Ask you to install mobile apps from unofficial app stores
- d. Transfer your call directly to Police, except when you call 995 for life-threatening emergencies
Members of the public are also encouraged to adopt the following precautionary measures:
- a. ADD – Add the ScamShield App to block calls and filter SMSes. Set transaction limits that are adequate for daily expenses, and lower transaction notification thresholds. Alert the bank immediately of any suspicious activity in your bank account. Activate the Money Lock feature of your bank to “lock up” a portion of your money so that it cannot be transferred out digitally by anyone.
- b. CHECK – Check for scam signs with official sources such as the ScamShield App. Call and check with the 24/7 ScamShield Helpline at 1799.
- c. TELL – Tell the authorities, family, and friends if or when you encounter scams. If you suspect that you have fallen victim to a scam, call your bank immediately to block any fraudulent transactions and make a police report.
For more information on scams, members of the public can visit www.scamshield.gov.sg . Fighting scams is a community effort. Together, we can ACT Against Scams to safeguard our community!
Singapore Central Bank MAS & Police Issue Warning to Public of Impersonation Scams on China Messaging & Payment Platforms Including WeChat, UnionPay & Alipay, 678 Cases Reported with $12.9 Million Losses Since 2025 January
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