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Call the 24/7 ScamShield Helpline at 1799 if you are unsure if something is a scam. For more information, visit www.scamshield.gov.sg

Anti-Money Laundering / Countering the Financing of Terrorism Division
Scam Advisories

Government Officials Impersonation Scams Involving Luxury Watches, Displaying of Anti Scam Posters

9 March 2026

Learn about a new variant of Government Officials Impersonation Scams ("GOIS") involving luxury watches, and note that regulated dealers are encouraged to display anti-scam posters to protect their customers.

Dear Regulated Dealers

We would like to draw your attention to a new variant of Government Officials Impersonation Scams ("GOIS") involving luxury watches.

Similar to previous GOIS scams, victims received unsolicited calls from scammers impersonating representatives from insurance and financial institutions, or retailers claiming that the victims had outstanding insurance premiums or had performed bank card transactions. When victims denied the claims, they were transferred to scammers impersonating government officials from the Ministry of Law or Monetary Authority of Singapore and be accused of money laundering.

In this scam variant, instead of gold bars, victims were instructed to hand over luxury watches to unknown subjects for purported "investigation purposes". Victims only realised that they had been scammed when the scammers became uncontactable or when they sought verification from the relevant agencies. Please see Police Advisory On Government Officials Impersonation Scams Involving Physical Collection Of Valuables Such As Gold And Luxury Watches for more information.

Regulated dealers play an important role in preventing scams and protecting vulnerable members of our community. We strongly encourage you to ensure that your front-line staff are familiar with the scam indicators and response actions shared in earlier advisories [Click here to access past scam advisories]. To alert your customers to scams, we encourage you to prominently display anti-scam posters (see download links below/right click to save image) from the Police, at appropriate locations in your shopfront or on your website.

Anti-scam Posters

Government Officials Impersonation Scam (English-Landscape)
Government Officials Impersonation Scam (English-Landscape)

The latest crime statistics in the Annual Scam and Cybercrime Brief 2025, which was released by the Police on 25 February 2026, provides comprehensive insights into scam trends and prevention measures to help you stay informed about emerging threats, in particular the GOIS which increased significantly in 2025.

If you observe any suspicious behaviour, please alert your nearest Neighbourhood Police Centre. If you have information relating to such crimes or are in doubt, call the Police Hotline at 1800-255-0000, or submit it online at https://www.police.gov.sg/i-witness. All information will be kept strictly confidential. If you require urgent Police assistance, please dial ‘999’.

Your continued vigilance and cooperation are invaluable in preventing scams and protecting vulnerable members of our community.

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