Internet-enabled scams and AI pose challenges, Shanmugam says at MHA scholarship event
Senior Minister K. Shanmugam warned of rising internet-enabled scams and AI threats despite a drop in scam cases and losses in 2025. Total scam losses fell to $913.1 million from $1.1 billion in 2024, and reported scam cases dropped by more than 27 per cent to 37,308 cases.
Intelligence analysis by Llama
Senior Minister K. Shanmugam spoke at the SPF Scholarship and MHA Scholarships Award Ceremony, warning of the powerful threat of artificial intelligence in internet-enabled scams. Despite a drop in scam cases and losses in 2025, he emphasized the need for vigilance and the importance of leveraging AI to fight and detect crimes.
Imagine you're online, and someone tries to trick you into giving them your money or personal info. This is called an internet-enabled scam. It's like a fake friend trying to get you to do something bad. But now, with AI, it's even harder to tell what's real and what's not. That's why we need to be careful and use special tools to help us stay safe online.
Analysis
AI-Enabled Scams: A Growing Threat
Senior Minister K. Shanmugam's warning at the SPF Scholarship and MHA Scholarships Award Ceremony highlights the growing threat of internet-enabled scams and AI. Despite a drop in scam cases and losses in 2025, the number of reported scam cases still stands at 37,308, with total scam losses falling to $913.1 million from $1.1 billion in 2024. The warning emphasizes the need for continued vigilance and innovation in combating these threats.
Leveraging AI to Combat Crime
MHA agencies are leveraging AI to fight and detect crimes. The Central Narcotics Bureau has used AI to streamline investigative work, while the Immigration and Checkpoints Authority has deployed facial recognition for immigration clearance. The SPF has launched its Cyber Command, which has a Digital Disruption Centre that identifies and removes online threats.
Strong Laws and Quick Action
Singapore's strong laws make it easier to go after culprits in AI- and internet-enabled offences. The Maintenance of Religious Harmony Act, Racial Harmony Act, and Foreign Influence (Countermeasures) Act give the Government powers to move in quickly and stop the harm before it becomes worse. Shanmugam emphasized the importance of these laws in addressing the growing threat of AI-enabled scams.
Key points
- Senior Minister K. Shanmugam warned of rising internet-enabled scams and AI threats despite a drop in scam cases and losses in 2025.
- Total scam losses fell to $913.1 million from $1.1 billion in 2024, and reported scam cases dropped by more than 27 per cent to 37,308 cases.
- MHA agencies are leveraging AI to fight and detect crimes, including the Central Narcotics Bureau and the Immigration and Checkpoints Authority.
- Singapore's strong laws make it easier to go after culprits in AI- and internet-enabled offences.
If we continue to innovate and use AI to combat crime, we may be able to reduce the number of scam cases and losses even further. This could lead to a safer and more secure online environment for everyone.
If we don't address the growing threat of AI-enabled scams, we may see an increase in the number of scam cases and losses. This could lead to financial losses and even more vulnerable people being targeted by scammers.
