Singapore PM Lee Admits Falling Victim to Online Scam, While Citizens Lose $2 Million Daily

By Thea Felicity

May 10, 2024 11:04 AM EDT

Princess Astrid Of Belgium Visits Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong
SINGAPORE - NOVEMBER 27: Prime Minister of Singapore, Lee Hsien Loong waits for the arrival of Princess Astrid of Belgium at the Istana on November 27, 2014 in Singapore. Princess Astrid of Belgium is in Singapore for a three day official visit to promote economic and research development between the two countries.
(Photo : Suhaimi Abdullah/Getty Images)

Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong expressed deep concern over the increasing number of Singaporeans falling victim to scams and what the government's efforts are to combat this issue during an interview at the Istana on April 28, as reported by The Straits Times. 

With scams costing Singaporeans approximately $660 million annually, PM Lee underlined the devastating impact on individuals, particularly the elderly, who may lose their life savings overnight. 

During the interview, the Prime Minister also opened up about his own encounter with an online scam, revealing how he had fallen victim to a fake website. This personal anecdote shows that even individuals in positions can be susceptible to deceptive tactics employed by scammers online. 

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Singapore's Efforts To Fight Online Scams

In line with his experience and the reported $2 million daily loss of Singaporeans falling victim to scams, he stressed the importance of raising awareness about cybersecurity threats and implementing effective measures to protect citizens.

PM Lee also addressed the increasing cases of fake news and the importance of media vigilance in combating misinformation, stressing the need for public education to improve digital literacy and protect against scams.

Singapore is expected to strengthen regulations and increase public awareness of online risks. The government is also encouraging people to report scams to the authorities so they can take action against scammers.

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