The Big Story: Over $410m lost to scams in 2026. Why are Singaporeans still falling for them?

Singapore lost $410.6 million to scams in the first half of 2026, down from $500.2 million in the same period last year. The number of reported scam cases also fell by about 14 per cent.

But despite the decline, scammers are still finding ways to trick victims into handing over their money voluntarily, with 8 in 10 scam victims doing so.

So, is Singapore finally turning the tide against scams? What’s driving the decline in scam losses, and how are scammers adapting their tactics?

On The Big Story, Hongbin Jeong speaks with Helena Huang, Associate Research Fellow in the Executive Deputy Chairman’s Office at the S. Rajaratnam School of International Studies (RSIS), NTU, to find out more. 

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.