Singaporeaa Tougher Stance on Scams: Caning as part of Sentencing
As Singapore continues to battle the escalating losses from online scams, lawmakers are pushing a comprehensive amendment package that would incorporate caning into a range of scam-related offences. The Criminal Law (Miscellaneous Amendments) Bill, introduced in Parliament, targets scam syndicates, recruiters, and the individuals who facilitate these crimes. The proposed measures aim to give the courts clear, deterrent penalties while refining the existing framework for other offences.
Under the Bill, caning would become a discretionary penalty for certain scam offences, with mandatory elements for the most serious cases. Specifically, scam syndicate members and their recruiters could face at least six strokes, with the potential to reach up to 24 strokes depending on the severity of the crime. In contrast, scam mules who provide services such as Singpass credentials, SIM cards, or bank accounts could be punished with up to 12 strokes on a discretionary basis. The final decision on caning rests with the sentencing court.
What the Bill Changes About Caning and Other Penalties
The proposed amendments form part of a broader review of caning across 161 offences, 65 of which currently carry mandatory caning. The government says it has examined these offences to determine where caning is no longer appropriate or where it should be left to judicial discretion. The Bill would remove or make caning discretionary for 22 offences, including some involving rail safety and other non-core concerns, while expanding discretion in areas like extortion and carrying offensive weapons in public.
Beyond caning, the Bill also addresses evolving threats in sexual offences, doxxing, youth offender handling, and the regulation of precious metals dealers. For sexual offences, it proposes clarifications and enhanced penalties, particularly in cases involving obscene material depicting minors or where large-scale circulation is involved. It also introduces measures to criminalize creation or distribution of deepfakes and AI-generated content concerning children and non-consenting individuals, reinforcing the protection of vulnerable victims in a digital age.
Protecting Vulnerable Victims and Public Servants
The amendments include stronger provisions against doxxing public servants, removing the need to prove harassment when the offender clearly intends to harass. A separate provision would criminalise doxxing paired with false statements, carrying penalties of up to three years in jail and fines up to SGD 10,000. The law also raises penalties for the fatal abuse of vulnerable victims, potentially reaching life imprisonment or up to 30 years in jail, reflecting the government’s focus on safeguarding those most at risk.
Other notable changes touch youth justice. Reforms would allow serious or repeat offences by older youths to be transferred from Youth Courts to State Courts or the High Court, enabling deterrent sentences such as imprisonment, reformative training, or caning where appropriate.
Context: Why the Bill and What It Means for Singapore
Singapore has faced billions in scam losses since 2019, with a record $1.1 billion lost in 2024 alone and more than $600 million by August. The Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) has framed the amendments as essential to maintaining public confidence in the criminal justice system and deterring criminals who exploit digital channels. The government notes that while technological advances have increased the scale and speed of scams, the legal framework must adapt to counter evolving threats without compromising fairness or due process.
In addition to penalties for scams, the Bill introduces measures affecting the regulatory landscape for precious metals dealers and updates related public order provisions. MHA emphasizes that these changes balance effective enforcement with industry compliance, aiming to protect the public while supporting legitimate business activity.
Live Coverage and Public Discussion
As Parliament debates the Miscellaneous Amendments Bill, observers in Singapore and regional partners are watching closely. Proponents argue that caning and updated penalties send a strong message that Singapore will not tolerate scam activity, while critics may seek to scrutinize due process, proportionality, and the long-term effectiveness of corporal punishment within modern criminal justice.”
