Scam offenders in Singapore will face caning from 30 December 2025 as tougher criminal penalties take effect.
The changes are part of the Criminal Law (Miscellaneous Amendments) Act 2025, passed by Parliament on 4 November 2025, which updates the Penal Code and related legislation.
Under the amendments, offenders convicted of cheating under section 420 of the Penal Code, where the offence is committed mainly through remote communication, will face mandatory caning of at least six strokes, alongside imprisonment of up to 10 years and a possible fine.
Courts may also impose discretionary caning of up to 24 strokes in serious non-scam cheating cases under the same provision.
Mandatory caning will also apply to members and recruiters of organised criminal groups involved in scams where the offender knew the group’s purpose was to obtain benefits from scam offences.
For recruiters who target vulnerable individuals or persons below 21 years of age, the maximum imprisonment term rises to seven years, in addition to mandatory caning and fines of up to S$350,000.
The act further introduces discretionary caning of up to 12 strokes for individuals who enable scams.
This covers offences involving the unlawful supply or use of SIM cards, the disclosure of Singpass credentials, and certain money-laundering offences under the Corruption, Drug Trafficking and Other Serious Crimes (Confiscation of Benefits) Act.
Caning may apply where the offender intended the enabler to be used for a scam, or where the offender had reasonable grounds to believe it would be used for criminal activity and failed to take reasonable steps to prevent misuse.
The Ministry of Home Affairs said it will continue reviewing penalties for scam and scam-related crimes.
Separately, amendments to the Children and Young Persons Act and the Criminal Procedure Code will also take effect on 30 December 2025.
Building on changes passed in 2019, the Ministry of Social and Family Development will operationalise the Youth Court framework for offenders aged 16 to below 18 from that date.
Serious or repeat cases, including those involving serious sexual offences, unlicensed moneylending and drug trafficking, may be transferred to the State Courts or High Court, where sentences such as imprisonment, reformative training or caning may be imposed.
Cases that existing law already requires to be tried in the High Court will continue to be handled there.
Other provisions in the act will come into force at a later date.
Featured image: Edited by Fintech News Singapore, based on image by user12948975 via Freepik
