Singapore Moves to Cane Scammers and Syndicate Recruiters
Singapore is advancing a controversial approach in its ongoing battle against scams by proposing mandatory caning for scammers and for members and recruiters of scam syndicates. The Criminal Law (Miscellaneous Amendments) Bill, introduced in Parliament on October 14, 2024, would expand the use of caning as a punishment in offenses linked to scam activity, marking a significant shift in penalties as the city-state grapples with billions in losses from fraudulent schemes in recent years.
Who Could Face Caning Under the Bill
The amendments would require a minimum of six strokes for scammers and for those involved in organizing or recruiting within scam networks. Depending on the severity of the offense, caning could rise to as many as 24 strokes for the most serious cases. A discretionary framework also allows judges to impose caning for accomplices such as mules—those who provide critical tools or access (for example Singpass credentials, SIM cards, or bank accounts) for use in scams. In these cases, up to 12 strokes could be ordered at the court’s discretion during sentencing.
Context: Why This Change Is Being Considered
Singapore has reported substantial financial losses from scams, with more than S$3.4 billion lost since 2019. Victims sustained a record S$1.1 billion in losses in 2024 alone, and losses continued to mount through August of this year. The Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) has positioned the bill as part of a broader effort to deter criminal activity and strengthen penalties for scam-related offenses, aligning with a national priority to combat scams and protect citizens and the financial system.
Other Provisions in the Bill
Beyond caning, the bill seeks to broaden and clarify penalties across multiple areas of criminal law. It proposes increasing penalties for certain sexual offences, extending penalties for the distribution of obscene materials involving minors, and clarifying the extraterritorial reach of sexual grooming offences when offenders and victims travel from Singapore. The bill also introduces updates to offences related to digital and online circulation of obscene content, with higher penalties for large-scale distribution, and updates aimed at protecting public servants from doxxing and intimidation.
Impact on Legal Penalties and Judicial Discretion
The proposed amendments would remove caning as a mandatory penalty in some offenses while making it discretionary in others. For now, 161 offences currently attract caning, with 65 of them mandating it. The MHA’s review suggests removing caning from 22 offenses or making it discretionary for them, reflecting an effort to recalibrate how punitive measures are applied in light of evolving social and technological contexts.
Public Order, Youth Offenders, and Corporate Regulation
Other notable insertions include stricter rules for youth offenders, potential transfers of certain cases to higher courts for more serious offenses, and tighter regulatory requirements for dealers of precious metals. The changes aim to enhance deterrence while maintaining fairness and proportionality in sentencing, particularly as new forms of crime emerge with advances in technology such as AI and deepfakes.
What Comes Next
As Parliament debates the proposal, law enforcement and the public will watch how these changes unfold. If passed, the new caning framework could reshape sentencing for scammers, their recruiters, and mule participants, sending a clear signal that Singapore intends to intensify penalties for scam-related crimes while refining other provisions to address modern threats and protect vulnerable groups. The government emphasizes its commitment to a safe, trustworthy criminal justice system where offenders face meaningful consequences.
