Key points
- Singapore police ordered Meta to implement anti-scam measures on Facebook to combat impersonation scams targeting government officials.
- Failure to comply could result in a fine of S$1 million under the Online Criminal Harms Act.
- Facebook is identified as the primary platform used for these scams.
- Scams involving impersonation of government officials tripled in the first half of 2025, resulting in S$126.5 million in losses.
Singapore’s government has issued a formal order to Meta, the parent company of Facebook, demanding the implementation of robust anti-scam measures. This directive, issued under the nation’s Online Criminal Harms Act, comes in response to a surge in scams involving individuals impersonating key government officials on the Facebook platform.
The police have identified Facebook as the leading platform utilized by scammers for this type of fraud. Non-compliance with the order could result in a substantial fine of up to S$1 million (approximately US$775,698).
The significant increase in these scams is alarming. Police statistics reveal a near tripling of cases in the first half of 2025, jumping from 589 to 1,762. The financial losses associated with these scams have also skyrocketed, reaching S$126.5 million—an 88% increase compared to the same period in the previous year. This alarming trend highlights the urgency for Meta to comply with the government’s mandate.
Minister of State for Home Affairs Goh Pei Ming emphasized the need for decisive action to curb these scams. He highlighted the disproportionate role Facebook plays in facilitating this criminal activity, justifying the direct order issued to Meta.
The government’s concerns are further substantiated by a finding that over one-third of all reported e-commerce scams in 2024 occurred on Facebook, with Facebook Marketplace receiving particularly low ratings for its anti-scam features.
Meta, in its response, stated that it employs various systems for detecting impersonation accounts, including facial recognition technology, and has invested heavily in enhancing its detection and review teams. The company also highlighted its efforts in educating users on scam prevention and providing tools for reporting suspicious activity.
However, the government’s order underscores the need for more effective measures to protect users from these increasingly prevalent and damaging scams.
