Singapore Introduces Caning for Online Scammers Amid Rising Fraud

To address a significant rise in online scams, Singapore has enacted a controversial measure by reinstating caning as a punishment for fraudsters. In a recent amendment to the criminal law, the city-state’s Parliament established caning as a penalty for scammers and those involved in facilitating such crimes, known as scam mules. This decision follows reports of over 35,000 scams in the first half of 2023, resulting in losses nearing US$385 million.

Sim Ann, Singapore’s Senior Minister of State for Foreign Affairs and Home Affairs, highlighted the severity of the issue. “Offenders who commit scams, defined as cheating mainly by means of remote communication, will be punished with at least six strokes of the cane,” she stated. The law allows for a maximum of 24 strokes, reflecting the government’s intent to deter such criminal activity aggressively.

Scams Represent Major Crime Category

Scams have emerged as the most prevalent form of crime in Singapore, making up approximately 60% of all reported offences in recent years. The government has indicated that these crimes are responsible for billions of dollars in losses annually. Earlier this year, legislation was passed granting police the authority to intervene in suspected scam cases by allowing them to limit transactions from affected individuals’ bank accounts.

Concerns have been raised regarding Singapore’s role as a financial hub, particularly how it may be exploited by cyber-criminal syndicates. A recent report by the Washington Post detailed how such groups leverage the country’s stable business environment to operate, raising alarms about a multibillion-dollar industry entrenched in Southeast Asia.

Under the newly amended law, members and recruiters of scam syndicates will also be subject to caning if found guilty. This aligns with existing provisions that impose mandatory caning for around 65 offences, including robbery. Notably, the amendment has also removed mandatory caning for some offences, such as vandalism, which will now be subject to discretionary caning.

Criticism and Human Rights Concerns

The use of caning as a form of punishment is a legacy of the British colonial era and is not unfamiliar to the island nation. Nonetheless, its application has sparked significant criticism from human rights organizations. Groups like Human Rights Watch and Amnesty International have condemned caning, categorizing it as a form of torture under international law.

The punishment involves the use of a rattan cane, administered after a medical examination. Exemptions exist for women, girls, and men over the age of 50, reflecting a selective approach to corporal punishment.

As Singapore intensifies its battle against online scams, the effectiveness and ethical implications of caning as a deterrent remain subjects of intense debate. The government’s commitment to addressing this issue highlights the growing urgency to safeguard citizens from the rising tide of digital fraud.