What is judicial caning and why is Singapore now applying it to scammers?
Singapore will begin caning scammers under new anti-fraud laws aimed at curbing the rise in scam cases and financial losses, the government has announced.
From December 30, courts will be allowed to impose between six and 24 strokes of the cane on offenders convicted of serious scam-related crimes, including members and recruiters of organised scam syndicates. The tougher penalties follow legal changes passed by Parliament last month.
The Ministry of Home Affairs stated that the measures are intended to ensure that criminal laws remain “effective, fair and responsive” as fraud becomes one of Singapore’s most significant public safety threats.
People who knowingly allow their bank accounts or personal details to be used to launder scam proceeds may also face caning of up to 12 strokes, alongside jail terms and fines. Judges will also have the discretion to impose caning for other forms of fraud.
Scams now account for about 60% of all reported crime in Singapore, according to government figures. Between 2020 and the first half of 2025, nearly 190,000 scam cases were reported, with losses estimated at 3.7 billion Singapore dollars (about US$2.8 billion).
Officials say common scams include phishing, fake job offers, online shopping fraud, investment schemes and impersonation scams.
Judicial caning, a form of corporal punishment carried out with a rattan cane, is already used in Singapore for serious crimes such as robbery and sexual offences. It applies to male offenders under the age of 50 and is imposed in addition to prison sentences.
This story is written and edited by the Global South World team, you can contact us here.
