Stop Scams

The Straits Times

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NEWS COMMENTARY
UPDATED WEEKLY

Synopsis: This is a special 10-part podcast series by The Straits Times to raise greater public awareness in Singapore and globally, to highlight the latest scam tactics, trends and ways authorities are dealing with this modern-day scourge. Podcasters: Andre Yeo, David Sun, Jessie Lim, Wong Shiying. Produced and edited by: Teo Tong Kai Executive producers: Ernest Luis A podcast by The Straits Times, SPH Media.

06/19/2025

Explore The Straits Times’ podcasts

Listen to our news commentary podcasts on the go every week. Podcasts have become part of the global media landscape these days. The audio-on-demand format allows many listeners to often do other chores or hobbies, while hearing the shows in the background over headphones or bluetooth speakers Almost every weekday, check out our discussions on Singapore current affairs and social issues, geopolitics through an Asian lens, health, climate change, personal finance and career. Follow our shows on your favourite audio apps Apple Podcasts, Spotify or even ST’s app, which has a dedicated podcast player section. Trailer narrated by: Podcast editor Ernest Luis (ernest@sph.com.sg); edited by: Elsa Goh --- Discover more ST podcast channels: 'All-in-one' ST Podcasts channel: https://str.sg/wvz7 The Usual Place: https://str.sg/wEr7u Asian Insider: https://str.sg/JWa7 Headstart On Record: https://str.sg/wB2m Green Pulse: https://str.sg/JWaf Health Check: https://str.sg/JWaN In Your Opinion: https://str.sg/w7Qt Wheel Insights: https://str.sg/iTtE ST Podcasts website: https://www.straitstimes.com/st-podcasts (*New) The Usual Place Podcast YouTube: https://str.sg/theusualplacepodcast Feedback to: podcast@sph.com.sg SPH Awedio app: https://www.awedio.sg --- Special edition series: Green Trails (4 eps): https://str.sg/bMyx This series clinched the gold award for Best Podcast at the Digital Media Awards Asia 2025 on April 23, organised by the World Association of News Publishers (Wan-Ifra). True Crimes Of Asia (6 eps): https://str.sg/i44T This series clinched the gold award for Best Podcast at the Digital Media Awards Asia 2024 in April, and third place for Best Podcast at the Digital Media Awards Worldwide 2024, both organised by Wan-Ifra. The Unsolved Mysteries of South-east Asia (5 eps): https://str.sg/wuZ2 This series also won The Best Podcast/Digital Audio Project category at the 2022 Digital Media Awards Asia, organised by Wan-Ifra. Music Lab: https://str.sg/w9TX --- Get The Straits Times' app, which has a dedicated podcast player section: The App Store: https://str.sg/icyB Google Play: https://str.sg/icyX #stpodcasttr See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

3 min
02/01/2023

How bank staff are trained to spot a high-risk 'scam' transaction

Have scams impacted Singapore’s digital banking journey? Synopsis: This is a special 10-part podcast series by The Straits Times to raise greater public awareness of the modern scourge of scams in Singapore and globally. In Singapore, nearly $1 billion has been lost by scam victims since 2016. Mutating and spreading, different types of scams have infiltrated every aspect of our lives, from romance to work. The police are cracking down on offenders. What can you do to protect yourself? In the series’ 10th episode, ST’s deputy news editor Andre Yeo, crime correspondent David Sun and journalist Jessie Lim speak with Mr Frankie Phua, head of group risk management at UOB. During the episode, Mr Phua discusses how the banking industry is studying the concept of a money lock which customers can opt into. This allows them to set aside a certain amount which cannot be digitally transferred out. He said this will allow customers to limit their risk exposure while enjoying the benefits of digital banking. He also examines the measures the banking industry has rolled out to tackle scams such as transaction limits and whether these have impacted Singapore’s digital banking journey. Highlights (click/tap above) 1:58 The difference between authorised and unauthorised scams and why it matters 4:19 How bank staff detect high-risk transactions by using the SPOT framework 13:42 How scams have impacted Singapore’s digital banking journey 19:04 How a female customer in her 70s lost almost a million dollars in a China official impersonation scam 24:08 The responsibilities which banks and customers have, when scams happen 25:47 What is a money lock? How it will safeguard savings Read ST's Stop Scams articles: https://str.sg/wWt9 Anti-Scam Hotline: 1800-722-6688 (9am - 5pm); https://www.scamalert.sg/ National Care Hotline: 1800-202-6868 (8am - 12am); https://ccs.org.sg/nch/ Produced by: Andre Yeo (andrey@sph.com.sg), Jessie Lim (ljessie@sph.com.sg), David Sun (davidsun@sph.com.sg), Ernest Luis and Teo Tong Kai Edited by: Teo Tong Kai Follow Stop Scams podcast series here: Channel: https://str.sg/wuZB Apple Podcasts: https://str.sg/wu3e Spotify: https://str.sg/wuJj Google Podcasts: https://str.sg/wE7S SPH Awedio app: https://www.awedio.sg/ Websites: http://str.sg/stpodcasts Feedback to: podcast@sph.com.sg Andre Yeo's articles: https://str.sg/wWtC David Sun's articles: https://str.sg/wWty Jessie Lim's articles: https://str.sg/wWtF --- Discover more ST podcast channels: All-in-one ST Podcasts channel: https://str.sg/wvz7 The Usual Place: https://str.sg/wEr7u In Your Opinion: https://str.sg/w7Qt COE Watch: https://str.sg/iTtE Asian Insider: https://str.sg/JWa7 Health Check: https://str.sg/JWaN Green Pulse: https://str.sg/JWaf Your Money & Career: https://str.sg/wB2m Hard Tackle: https://str.sg/JWRE #PopVultures: https://str.sg/JWad Music Lab: https://str.sg/w9TX --- ST Podcast website: http://str.sg/stpodcasts ST Podcasts YouTube: https://str.sg/4Vwsa --- Special edition series: True Crimes Of Asia (6 eps): https://str.sg/i44T The Unsolved Mysteries of South-east Asia (5 eps): https://str.sg/wuZ2 Invisible Asia (9 eps): https://str.sg/wuZn Stop Scams (10 eps): https://str.sg/wuZB Singapore's War On Covid (5 eps): https://str.sg/wuJa --- Get The Straits Times' app, which has a dedicated podcast player section: The App Store: https://str.sg/icyB Google Play: https://str.sg/icyX #stopscams See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

30 min
12/07/2022

What to do if your Instagram account has been hacked?

Synopsis: This is a special 10-part podcast series by The Straits Times to raise greater public awareness of the modern scourge of scams in Singapore and globally. In Singapore, nearly $1 billion has been lost by scam victims since 2016. Mutating and spreading, different types of scams have infiltrated every aspect of our lives, from romance to work. The police are cracking down on offenders. What can you do to protect yourself? In the series’ ninth episode, ST’s deputy news editor Andre Yeo, crime correspondent David Sun and journalist Jessie Lim speak with Ms Verena Chin, owner of home-based bakery Le Artisserie. During the episode, Ms Chin recounts her experience of having her Instagram business account taken over by scammers and how she regained it within two days. She also advises Instagram users on the steps they can take to recover their accounts - such as immediately requesting a change in e-mail address and asking friends to report to Instagram, if their accounts have been hacked. Highlights (click/tap above): 1:28 How scammers took over Ms Verena Chin’s Instagram account in Sept 2022 7:23 Why home-based business owners depend heavily on Instagram for orders 10:50 How Ms Chin regained access to her Instagram account within a day 18:11 Warning signs someone may be trying to take over your Instagram account 23:48 What scammers can do after taking over your Instagram account Read ST's Stop Scams articles: https://str.sg/wWt9 Anti-Scam Hotline: 1800-722-6688 (9am - 5pm); https://www.scamalert.sg/ National Care Hotline: 1800-202-6868 (8am - 12am); https://ccs.org.sg/nch/ Produced by: Andre Yeo (andrey@sph.com.sg), Jessie Lim (ljessie@sph.com.sg), David Sun (davidsun@sph.com.sg), Ernest Luis, Teo Tong Kai and Eden Soh Edited by: Teo Tong Kai Follow Stop Scams podcast series here: Channel: https://str.sg/wuZB Apple Podcasts: https://str.sg/wu3e Spotify: https://str.sg/wuJj Google Podcasts: https://str.sg/wE7S SPH Awedio app: https://www.awedio.sg/ Websites: http://str.sg/stpodcasts Feedback to: podcast@sph.com.sg Andre Yeo's articles: https://str.sg/wWtC David Sun's articles: https://str.sg/wWty Jessie Lim's articles: https://str.sg/wWtF --- Discover more ST podcast channels: All-in-one ST Podcasts channel: https://str.sg/wvz7 The Usual Place: https://str.sg/wEr7u In Your Opinion: https://str.sg/w7Qt COE Watch: https://str.sg/iTtE Asian Insider: https://str.sg/JWa7 Health Check: https://str.sg/JWaN Green Pulse: https://str.sg/JWaf Your Money & Career: https://str.sg/wB2m Hard Tackle: https://str.sg/JWRE #PopVultures: https://str.sg/JWad Music Lab: https://str.sg/w9TX --- ST Podcast website: http://str.sg/stpodcasts ST Podcasts YouTube: https://str.sg/4Vwsa --- Special edition series: True Crimes Of Asia (6 eps): https://str.sg/i44T The Unsolved Mysteries of South-east Asia (5 eps): https://str.sg/wuZ2 Invisible Asia (9 eps): https://str.sg/wuZn Stop Scams (10 eps): https://str.sg/wuZB Singapore's War On Covid (5 eps): https://str.sg/wuJa --- Get The Straits Times' app, which has a dedicated podcast player section: The App Store: https://str.sg/icyB Google Play: https://str.sg/icyX #stopscams See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

28 min
11/17/2022

How former scam victims run Global Anti Scam Organization and fight scams worldwide

Synopsis: This is a special-edition podcast series by The Straits Times to raise greater public awareness of the modern scourge of scams in Singapore and globally. In Singapore, nearly $1 billion has been lost by scam victims since 2016. Mutating and spreading, different types of scams have infiltrated every aspect of our lives, from romance to work. The police are cracking down on offenders. What can you do to protect yourself? In the series’ eighth episode, ST’s deputy news editor Andre Yeo, crime correspondent David Sun and journalist Jessie Lim speak with Mr Brian Bruce, chief of operations at Global Anti Scam Organization (Gaso), who is in charge of its investigations team. During the episode, Mr Bruce warned about pig butchering scams which combine tactics used in love and investment scams. Mr Bruce also mentioned how Gaso - formed in June 2021 - works with government agencies in South-east Asia to secure the release of human trafficking victims duped into working for scam syndicates in Myanmar and Cambodia. Highlights (click/tap above): 0:40 What the Global Anti Scam Organization (Gaso) does to tackle scams worldwide 3:11 How Mr Bruce lost US$200,000 in a cryptocurrency investment scam in September 2021 9:03 How the pig butchering scam works and its impact on victims 17:57 Scam syndicates in South-east Asia and their recruitment tactics 20:05 How scam victims can recover psychologically from a scam 22:26 How Gaso works with US and South-east Asian law enforcement agencies to secure the release of those lured into working for scam syndicates Read ST's Stop Scams articles: https://str.sg/wWt9 Anti-Scam Hotline: 1800-722-6688 (9am - 5pm); https://www.scamalert.sg/ National Care Hotline: 1800-202-6868 (8am - 12am); https://ccs.org.sg/nch/ Produced by: Andre Yeo (andrey@sph.com.sg), Jessie Lim (ljessie@sph.com.sg), David Sun (davidsun@sph.com.sg), Ernest Luis, Teo Tong Kai and Eden Soh Edited by: Teo Tong Kai Follow Stop Scams podcast series here: Channel: https://str.sg/wuZB Apple Podcasts: https://str.sg/wu3e Spotify: https://str.sg/wuJj Google Podcasts: https://str.sg/wE7S SPH Awedio app: https://www.awedio.sg/ Websites: http://str.sg/stpodcasts Feedback to: podcast@sph.com.sg Andre Yeo's articles: https://str.sg/wWtC David Sun's articles: https://str.sg/wWty Jessie Lim's articles: https://str.sg/wWtF --- Discover more ST podcast channels: All-in-one ST Podcasts channel: https://str.sg/wvz7 The Usual Place: https://str.sg/wEr7u In Your Opinion: https://str.sg/w7Qt COE Watch: https://str.sg/iTtE Asian Insider: https://str.sg/JWa7 Health Check: https://str.sg/JWaN Green Pulse: https://str.sg/JWaf Your Money & Career: https://str.sg/wB2m Hard Tackle: https://str.sg/JWRE #PopVultures: https://str.sg/JWad Music Lab: https://str.sg/w9TX --- ST Podcast website: http://str.sg/stpodcasts ST Podcasts YouTube: https://str.sg/4Vwsa --- Special edition series: True Crimes Of Asia (6 eps): https://str.sg/i44T The Unsolved Mysteries of South-east Asia (5 eps): https://str.sg/wuZ2 Invisible Asia (9 eps): https://str.sg/wuZn Stop Scams (10 eps): https://str.sg/wuZB Singapore's War On Covid (5 eps): https://str.sg/wuJa --- Get The Straits Times' app, which has a dedicated podcast player section: The App Store: https://str.sg/icyB Google Play: https://str.sg/icyX #stopscams See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

27 min
09/27/2022

Cryptocurrency scams: Not just those in their 20s to 30s fall prey - even the elderly are targeted

Synopsis: This is a special-edition podcast series by The Straits Times to raise greater public awareness of the modern scourge of scams in Singapore and globally. In Singapore, nearly $1 billion has been lost by scam victims since 2016. Mutating and spreading, different types of scams have infiltrated every aspect of our lives, from romance to work. The police are cracking down on offenders. What can you do to protect yourself? In the series’ seventh episode, ST’s crime correspondent David Sun, business correspondent Claire Huang, and journalist Jessie Lim speak with Fiona Choong, vice president of compliance at cryptocurrency exchange Coinhako. Ms Choong covers the common kinds of scams involving cryptocurrency and what precautions cryptocurrency users can take against them. Highlights (click/tap above): 2:18 How a man in his 70s fell prey to a ‘tech support’ scam, and how his life savings of over S$400,000 was saved 5:50 Most active crypto customers are in the 20 to 30 age range; risk rules and safeguards covering various ages 11:00 Know-your-client (KYC) and financial literacy standards: How to uphold them, especially in Singapore? 18:20 Are there scams involving cryptocurrency giveaways, also known as ‘drops’, a marketing strategy that involves sending coins or tokens to wallet addresses? 26:40 Constantly evolving products such as non-fungible tokens and Web 3.0 a challenge for compliance officers when detecting scams 28:25 Love scam uncovered: When a man tried to withdraw a large amount of crypto to purportedly buy a piece of property for his ‘girlfriend’ 32:07 Measures to take to avoid falling to cryptocurrency scams: how fear, greed and loneliness are exploited by scammers Read ST's Stop Scams articles: https://str.sg/wWt9 Anti-Scam Hotline: 1800-722-6688 (9am - 5pm); https://www.scamalert.sg/ National Care Hotline: 1800-202-6868 (8am - 12am); https://ccs.org.sg/nch/ Produced by: Jessie Lim (ljessie@sph.com.sg), David Sun (davidsun@sph.com.sg), Claire Huang (claire@sph.com.sg), Ernest Luis and Eden Soh Edited by: Eden Soh Follow Stop Scams podcast series here: Channel: https://str.sg/wuZB Apple Podcasts: https://str.sg/wu3e Spotify: https://str.sg/wuJj Google Podcasts: https://str.sg/wE7S SPH Awedio app: https://www.awedio.sg/ Websites: http://str.sg/stpodcasts Feedback to: podcast@sph.com.sg David Sun's articles: https://str.sg/wWty Jessie Lim's articles: https://str.sg/wWtF --- Discover more ST podcast channels: All-in-one ST Podcasts channel: https://str.sg/wvz7 The Usual Place: https://str.sg/wEr7u In Your Opinion: https://str.sg/w7Qt COE Watch: https://str.sg/iTtE Asian Insider: https://str.sg/JWa7 Health Check: https://str.sg/JWaN Green Pulse: https://str.sg/JWaf Your Money & Career: https://str.sg/wB2m Hard Tackle: https://str.sg/JWRE #PopVultures: https://str.sg/JWad Music Lab: https://str.sg/w9TX --- ST Podcast website: http://str.sg/stpodcasts ST Podcasts YouTube: https://str.sg/4Vwsa --- Special edition series: True Crimes Of Asia (6 eps): https://str.sg/i44T The Unsolved Mysteries of South-east Asia (5 eps): https://str.sg/wuZ2 Invisible Asia (9 eps): https://str.sg/wuZn Stop Scams (10 eps): https://str.sg/wuZB Singapore's War On Covid (5 eps): https://str.sg/wuJa --- Get The Straits Times' app, which has a dedicated podcast player section: The App Store: https://str.sg/icyB Google Play: https://str.sg/icyX #stopscams See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

37 min
06/14/2022

The day a senior in his 60s fell for a "Carousell" job scam

Synopsis: This is a special-edition podcast series by The Straits Times to raise greater public awareness of the modern scourge of scams in Singapore and globally. In Singapore, nearly $1 billion has been lost by scam victims since 2016. Mutating and spreading, different types of scams have infiltrated every aspect of our lives, from romance to work. The police are cracking down on offenders. What can you do to protect yourself? In the series’ sixth episode, ST’s deputy news editor Andre Yeo, crime correspondent David Sun and journalist Jessie Lim speak with Ms Jessica Chen, a policy and escalation manager at Carousell and Ms Lavone Toh, an associate product manager also with the e-commerce marketplace. Both of them talked about the emergence of job scams involving the impersonation of Carousell staff and some of Carousell’s safety features, such as pop-up reminders within chats which warn customers when they are eyeing popular items known to have false listings, such as staycation deals. Highlights (click/tap above): 06:01 How a senior in his 60s showed up at Carousell’s headquarters in Buona Vista demanding to see “Amy”, a scammer who cheated him of $2,000 in a job scam 12:41 How Carousell removes thousands of suspicious listings every month and tell-tale signs 14:41 New initiatives Carousell has embarked on to tackle scams and how user feedback helps the e-commerce marketplace identify threats 18:13 How Carousell balances consumer safety and satisfaction, with the launch of the E-Commerce Marketplace Transaction Safety Ratings earlier in 2022 21:45 Why people should not sell their Carousell accounts to other users who can list fake items on them Produced by: Andre Yeo (andrey@sph.com.sg), Jessie Lim (ljessie@sph.com.sg), David Sun (davidsun@sph.com.sg), Ernest Luis, Teo Tong Kai and Paxton Pang Edited by: Teo Tong Kai Read ST's Stop Scams articles: https://str.sg/wWt9 • Anti-Scam Hotline: 1800-722-6688 (9am - 5pm); https://www.scamalert.sg/ • National Care Hotline: 1800-202-6868 (8am - 12am); https://ccs.org.sg/nch/ Follow ST's Stop Scams podcast series here: Stop Scams Channel: https://str.sg/wuZB Apple Podcasts: https://str.sg/wu3e Spotify: https://str.sg/wuJj Google Podcasts: https://str.sg/wE7S SPH Awedio app: https://www.awedio.sg/ Websites: http://str.sg/stpodcasts Feedback to: podcast@sph.com.sg Andre Yeo's articles: https://str.sg/wWtC David Sun's articles: https://str.sg/wWty Jessie Lim's articles: https://str.sg/wWtF --- Discover more ST podcast channels: All-in-one ST Podcasts channel: https://str.sg/wvz7 The Usual Place: https://str.sg/wEr7u In Your Opinion: https://str.sg/w7Qt COE Watch: https://str.sg/iTtE Asian Insider: https://str.sg/JWa7 Health Check: https://str.sg/JWaN Green Pulse: https://str.sg/JWaf Your Money & Career: https://str.sg/wB2m Hard Tackle: https://str.sg/JWRE #PopVultures: https://str.sg/JWad Music Lab: https://str.sg/w9TX --- ST Podcast website: http://str.sg/stpodcasts ST Podcasts YouTube: https://str.sg/4Vwsa --- Special edition series: True Crimes Of Asia (6 eps): https://str.sg/i44T The Unsolved Mysteries of South-east Asia (5 eps): https://str.sg/wuZ2 Invisible Asia (9 eps): https://str.sg/wuZn Stop Scams (10 eps): https://str.sg/wuZB Singapore's War On Covid (5 eps): https://str.sg/wuJa --- Get The Straits Times' app, which has a dedicated podcast player section: The App Store: https://str.sg/icyB Google Play: https://str.sg/icyX #stopscams See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

28 min
05/24/2022

Set up strong passwords using Singlish and unique phrases

Synopsis: This is a special-edition podcast series by The Straits Times to raise greater public awareness of the modern scourge of scams in Singapore and globally.In Singapore, nearly $1 billion has been lost by scam victims since 2016. Mutating and spreading, different types of scams have infiltrated every aspect of our lives, from romance to work. The police are cracking down on offenders. What can you do to protect yourself?In the series’ fifth episode, ST’s deputy news editor Andre Yeo, crime correspondent David Sun and journalist Jessie Lim speak with Mr Willis Lim, director of the National Cyber Threat Analysis Centre, the research division of the Cyber Security Agency (CSA) that oversees Singapore's cyber security strategy. Mr Lim talks about the ways cyber criminals identify potential victims and new scams the CSA is seeing in 2022. Mr Lim explains why the use of Singlish words, which are not commonly found in most dictionaries, makes it much harder for cyber criminals to crack your passwords. He also provides tips on how Singaporeans can protect themselves from tech support scams. Highlights (click/tap above): 08:49 How cyber criminals look for victims’ personal particulars online and on the Dark Web 09:36 Why Mr Willis Lim stopped his mother from throwing his phone bill into the dustbin 11:10 Scams the Cyber Security Agency is seeing in 2022, such as phishing and tech support scams 20:30 How to set a strong password using Singlish and unique passphrases 21:50 How tech support scams work and the steps you can take to protect yourself 28:29 The dollar value of personal data stolen from data breaches Produced by: Andre Yeo (andrey@sph.com.sg), Jessie Lim (ljessie@sph.com.sg), David Sun (davidsun@sph.com.sg), Ernest Luis, Teo Tong Kai and Paxton Pang Edited by: Eden Soh Read ST's Stop Scams articles: https://str.sg/wWt9 • Anti-Scam Hotline: 1800-722-6688 (9am - 5pm); https://www.scamalert.sg/ • National Care Hotline: 1800-202-6868 (8am - 12am); https://ccs.org.sg/nch/ Follow ST's Stop Scams podcast series here: Channel: https://str.sg/wuZB Apple Podcasts: https://str.sg/wu3e Spotify: https://str.sg/wuJj Google Podcasts: https://str.sg/wE7S SPH Awedio app: https://www.awedio.sg/ Websites: http://str.sg/stpodcasts Feedback to: podcast@sph.com.sg Andre Yeo's articles: https://str.sg/wWtC David Sun's articles: https://str.sg/wWty Jessie Lim's articles: https://str.sg/wWtF --- Discover more ST podcast channels: All-in-one ST Podcasts channel: https://str.sg/wvz7 The Usual Place: https://str.sg/wEr7u In Your Opinion: https://str.sg/w7Qt COE Watch: https://str.sg/iTtE Asian Insider: https://str.sg/JWa7 Health Check: https://str.sg/JWaN Green Pulse: https://str.sg/JWaf Your Money & Career: https://str.sg/wB2m Hard Tackle: https://str.sg/JWRE #PopVultures: https://str.sg/JWad Music Lab: https://str.sg/w9TX --- ST Podcast website: http://str.sg/stpodcasts ST Podcasts YouTube: https://str.sg/4Vwsa --- Special edition series: True Crimes Of Asia (6 eps): https://str.sg/i44T The Unsolved Mysteries of South-east Asia (5 eps): https://str.sg/wuZ2 Invisible Asia (9 eps): https://str.sg/wuZn Stop Scams (10 eps): https://str.sg/wuZB Singapore's War On Covid (5 eps): https://str.sg/wuJa --- Get The Straits Times' app, which has a dedicated podcast player section: The App Store: https://str.sg/icyB Google Play: https://str.sg/icyX #stopscams See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

33 min
05/03/2022

How to spot a victim of a scam

Synopsis: This is a special-edition podcast series by The Straits Times to raise greater public awareness of the modern scourge of scams in Singapore and globally. In Singapore, nearly $1 billion has been lost by scam victims since 2016. Mutating and spreading, different types of scams have infiltrated every aspect of our lives, from romance to work. The police are cracking down on offenders. What can you do to protect yourself? In the series’ fourth episode, ST’s deputy news editor Andre Yeo and journalist Osmond Chia speak with OCBC branch manager Leong Wen Xian, 34, who prevented a housewife in her 50s from losing some $200,000 to fraudsters. Mr Leong also details the challenges brought on by the pandemic in spotting victims and the new innovations OCBC Bank has introduced in 2022 to combat scams. Highlights (click/tap above): 00:52 How Mr Leong prevented a woman from losing $200,000 to scammers 06:50 Spotting the signs that someone is being scammed 13:19 Why Covid-19 has make it tougher to fight scams 15:09 Mr Leong on the changes OCBC has made to fight scams in 2022 18:08 Tips from Mr Leong on how to avoid falling prey to scams Listen to earlier Stop Scams podcasts: https://str.sg/wnBi Ep 1 - Near impossible to recover your money once scammers transfer it out of Singapore Ep 2 - How scammers are buying bank accounts and digital identities of youth for misuse Ep 3 - Why children are more susceptible to scams than adults Produced by: Andre Yeo (andrey@sph.com.sg), Osmond Chia (osmondc@sph.com.sg), Ernest Luis and Teo Tong Kai Edited by: Teo Tong Kai Read ST's Stop Scams articles: https://str.sg/wWt9 • Anti-Scam Hotline: 1800-722-6688 (9am - 5pm); https://www.scamalert.sg/ • National Care Hotline: 1800-202-6868 (8am - 12am); https://ccs.org.sg/nch/ Follow ST's Stop Scams podcast series here: Stop Scams Channel: https://str.sg/wuZB Apple Podcasts: https://str.sg/wu3e Spotify: https://str.sg/wuJj Google Podcasts: https://str.sg/wE7S SPH Awedio app: https://www.awedio.sg/ Websites: http://str.sg/stpodcasts Feedback to: podcast@sph.com.sg Andre Yeo's articles: https://str.sg/wWtC Osmond Chia's articles: https://str.sg/wX46 --- Discover more ST podcast channels: All-in-one ST Podcasts channel: https://str.sg/wvz7 The Usual Place: https://str.sg/wEr7u In Your Opinion: https://str.sg/w7Qt COE Watch: https://str.sg/iTtE Asian Insider: https://str.sg/JWa7 Health Check: https://str.sg/JWaN Green Pulse: https://str.sg/JWaf Your Money & Career: https://str.sg/wB2m Hard Tackle: https://str.sg/JWRE #PopVultures: https://str.sg/JWad Music Lab: https://str.sg/w9TX --- ST Podcast website: http://str.sg/stpodcasts ST Podcasts YouTube: https://str.sg/4Vwsa --- Special edition series: True Crimes Of Asia (6 eps): https://str.sg/i44T The Unsolved Mysteries of South-east Asia (5 eps): https://str.sg/wuZ2 Invisible Asia (9 eps): https://str.sg/wuZn Stop Scams (10 eps): https://str.sg/wuZB Singapore's War On Covid (5 eps): https://str.sg/wuJa --- Get The Straits Times' app, which has a dedicated podcast player section: The App Store: https://str.sg/icyB Google Play: https://str.sg/icyX #stopscams See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

20 min
04/12/2022

Why children are more susceptible to scams than adults

Synopsis: This is a new podcast by The Straits Times to raise greater public awareness of the modern scourge of scams in Singapore and globally. In Singapore, nearly $1 billion has been lost by scam victims since 2016. Mutating and spreading, different types of scams have infiltrated every aspect of our lives, from love to work. The police are cracking down on offenders. What can you do to protect yourself? In this episode, ST's deputy news editor Andre Yeo and journalist Jessie Lim speak with JC (not his real name), 20, who fell victim to a love and gaming scam in March 2021. He is a graphic design student waiting to enlist in national service. Joining them are Ms Lauren Yeo, principal counsellor of Restart Counselling for Wellness and Dr Annabelle Chow, principal clinical psychologist at Annabelle Psychology. Highlights (click/tap above): 01:13 How JC lost $2,100 to a love and gaming scam in March 202109:04 Ms Yeo on how a girl, 15, cheated five people in a gift card scam10:39 Dr Chow on why scam victims find it difficult to come forward; detecting when elderly try to hide their shame at being scammed19:53 How children can avoid being scammed23:10 Impact of scams on victims’ self-esteem, work performance; advice on how to tell parents if children fall victim to a scam34:14 Why young children are more susceptible to scams than adults Listen to earlier Stop Scams podcasts: https://str.sg/wuZB Ep 1 - Near impossible to recover your money once scammers transfer it out of Singapore Ep 2 - How scammers are buying bank accounts and digital identities of youth for misuse Produced by: Andre Yeo (andrey@sph.com.sg), Jessie Lim (ljessie@sph.com.sg), Ernest Luis and Teo Tong Kai Edited by: Teo Tong Kai Read ST's Stop Scams articles: https://str.sg/wWt9 • Anti-Scam Hotline: 1800-722-6688 (9am - 5pm); https://www.scamalert.sg/ • National Care Hotline: 1800-202-6868 (8am - 12am); https://ccs.org.sg/nch/ Public can join these police schemes: Community Watch Scheme: https://go.gov.sg/spf-cws Crime Prevention Ambassadors: https://www.ncpc.org.sg/cpas.html Citizens on Patrol: https://go.gov.sg/citizensonpatrol Follow ST's Stop Scams podcast series here: Stop Scams Channel: https://str.sg/wuZB Apple Podcasts: https://str.sg/wu3e Spotify: https://str.sg/wuJj Google Podcasts: https://str.sg/wE7S SPH Awedio app: https://www.awedio.sg/ Websites: http://str.sg/stpodcasts Feedback to: podcast@sph.com.sg Andre Yeo's articles: https://str.sg/wWtC Jessie Lim's articles: https://str.sg/wWtF --- Discover more ST podcast channels: All-in-one ST Podcasts channel: https://str.sg/wvz7 The Usual Place: https://str.sg/wEr7u In Your Opinion: https://str.sg/w7Qt COE Watch: https://str.sg/iTtE Asian Insider: https://str.sg/JWa7 Health Check: https://str.sg/JWaN Green Pulse: https://str.sg/JWaf Your Money & Career: https://str.sg/wB2m Hard Tackle: https://str.sg/JWRE #PopVultures: https://str.sg/JWad Music Lab: https://str.sg/w9TX --- ST Podcast website: http://str.sg/stpodcasts ST Podcasts YouTube: https://str.sg/4Vwsa --- Special edition series: True Crimes Of Asia (6 eps): https://str.sg/i44T The Unsolved Mysteries of South-east Asia (5 eps): https://str.sg/wuZ2 Invisible Asia (9 eps): https://str.sg/wuZn Stop Scams (10 eps): https://str.sg/wuZB Singapore's War On Covid (5 eps): https://str.sg/wuJa --- Get The Straits Times' app, which has a dedicated podcast player section: The App Store: https://str.sg/icyB Google Play: https://str.sg/icyX #stopscams See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

40 min
03/29/2022

How scammers are buying bank accounts and digital identities of youth for misuse

Synopsis: This is a new podcast by The Straits Times to raise greater public awareness of the modern scourge of scams in Singapore and globally. In Singapore, nearly $1 billion has been lost by scam victims since 2016. Mutating and spreading, different types of scams have infiltrated every aspect of our lives, from love to work. The police are cracking down on offenders. What can you do to protect yourself? In this episode, ST's deputy news editor Andre Yeo and journalist Jessie Lim speak with Superintendent of Police Michelle Tay, the head of the Anti-Scam Centre, launched in 2019. Their job is to disrupt the scammers’ operations and help victims to try to recover their money. Highlights (click/tap above): 02:15 Step-by-step guide: What to do if you're a scam victim, and what the police do when liaising with banks and fintech institutions 04:10 Why is it so hard to recover scam victims' monies once the funds are transferred out of Singapore? 05:15 What is the Community Watch Scheme and the new e-commerce Transaction Safety rating? 07:00 What are the new scam tactics emerging in 2022? More on the pig-butchering scam which combines tactics used in love and investment scams 09:33 How scammers are targeting youths, offering up to $2,000 to buy their digital identity credentials, and why this is an offence for teenagers involved 09:56 When Supt Tay’s mother received a scam call claiming she had been kidnapped Listen to Ep 1 - Near impossible to recover your money once scammers transfer it out of Singapore: https://str.sg/wuZB Public can join these police schemes: Community Watch Scheme: https://go.gov.sg/spf-cws Crime Prevention Ambassadors: https://www.ncpc.org.sg/cpas.html Citizens on Patrol: https://go.gov.sg/citizensonpatrol ST's Stop Scams articles: https://str.sg/wWt9 • Anti-Scam Hotline: 1800-722-6688 (9am - 5pm); https://www.scamalert.sg/ • National Care Hotline: 1800-202-6868 (8am - 12am); https://ccs.org.sg/nch/ Produced by: Andre Yeo (andrey@sph.com.sg), Jessie Lim (ljessie@sph.com.sg), Ernest Luis and Teo Tong Kai Edited by: Teo Tong Kai Follow ST's Stop Scams podcast series here: Stop Scams Channel: https://str.sg/wuZB Apple Podcasts: https://str.sg/wu3e Spotify: https://str.sg/wuJj Google Podcasts: https://str.sg/wE7S SPH Awedio app: https://www.awedio.sg/ Websites: http://str.sg/stpodcasts Feedback to: podcast@sph.com.sg Andre Yeo's articles: https://str.sg/wWtC Jessie Lim's articles: https://str.sg/wWtF --- Discover more ST podcast channels: All-in-one ST Podcasts channel: https://str.sg/wvz7 The Usual Place: https://str.sg/wEr7u In Your Opinion: https://str.sg/w7Qt COE Watch: https://str.sg/iTtE Asian Insider: https://str.sg/JWa7 Health Check: https://str.sg/JWaN Green Pulse: https://str.sg/JWaf Your Money & Career: https://str.sg/wB2m Hard Tackle: https://str.sg/JWRE #PopVultures: https://str.sg/JWad Music Lab: https://str.sg/w9TX --- ST Podcast website: http://str.sg/stpodcasts ST Podcasts YouTube: https://str.sg/4Vwsa --- Special edition series: True Crimes Of Asia (6 eps): https://str.sg/i44T The Unsolved Mysteries of South-east Asia (5 eps): https://str.sg/wuZ2 Invisible Asia (9 eps): https://str.sg/wuZn Stop Scams (10 eps): https://str.sg/wuZB Singapore's War On Covid (5 eps): https://str.sg/wuJa --- Get The Straits Times' app, which has a dedicated podcast player section: The App Store: https://str.sg/icyB Google Play: https://str.sg/icyX #stopscams See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

14 min
02/16/2022

Near impossible to recover your money once scammers transfer it out of Singapore

Synopsis: This is a new podcast by The Straits Times to raise greater public awareness of the modern scourge of scams in Singapore and globally. It is now February 2022. In Singapore alone, nearly $1 billion has been lost by scam victims since 2016. Mutating and spreading, different types of scams have infiltrated every aspect of our lives, from love to work. The police are cracking down on offenders. What can you do to protect yourself? In this episode, deputy news editor Andre Yeo hosts fellow journalists David Sun, Jessie Lim and Wong Shiying as they share their biggest behind-the-scenes revelations for the articles they have covered on scam tactics so far. Highlights (click/tap above): 01:10 David Sun on what sets scams apart from other types of crimes; victims' complacency, lack of self-awareness 03:03 Should the public feel sorry for victims of scams despite amount of anti-scam publicity? 05:42 Wong Shiying on the common thread among the eight scam victims she interviewed over four months; victims mentally scarred into extreme distrust 08:54 Jessie Lim on how intelligent today's scammers really are, and how they even cultivate victims over months 11:30 Why it's almost impossible to get back your money once it's transferred out of Singapore 13:15 Singapore Police Force's Anti-Scam Centre has added robotic process automation to its arsenal, with the technology driving Project Combat (Centralised Operational Messaging Bot, Addressing Threats) 23:00 How else are victims affected by scams: The mental toll and opening up to seek help ST's Stop Scams articles: https://str.sg/wWt9 • Anti-Scam Hotline: 1800-722-6688 (9am - 5pm); https://www.scamalert.sg/ • National Care Hotline: 1800-202-6868 (8am - 12am); https://ccs.org.sg/nch/ Produced by: Andre Yeo (andrey@sph.com.sg), David Sun (davidsun@sph.com.sg), Jessie Lim (ljessie@sph.com.sg), Wong Shiying (sywong@sph.com.sg), Ernest Luis and Hadyu Rahim Edited by: Hadyu Rahim Follow ST's Stop Scams podcast series here: Stop Scams Channel: https://str.sg/wuZB Apple Podcasts: https://str.sg/wu3e Spotify: https://str.sg/wuJj Google Podcasts: https://str.sg/wE7S SPH Awedio app: https://www.awedio.sg/ Websites: http://str.sg/stpodcasts Feedback to: podcast@sph.com.sg Andre Yeo's articles: https://str.sg/wWtC David Sun's articles: https://str.sg/wWty Jessie Lim's articles: https://str.sg/wWtF Wong Shiying's articles: https://str.sg/wWtt --- Discover more ST podcast channels: All-in-one ST Podcasts channel: https://str.sg/wvz7 The Usual Place: https://str.sg/wEr7u In Your Opinion: https://str.sg/w7Qt COE Watch: https://str.sg/iTtE Asian Insider: https://str.sg/JWa7 Health Check: https://str.sg/JWaN Green Pulse: https://str.sg/JWaf Your Money & Career: https://str.sg/wB2m Hard Tackle: https://str.sg/JWRE #PopVultures: https://str.sg/JWad Music Lab: https://str.sg/w9TX --- ST Podcast website: http://str.sg/stpodcasts ST Podcasts YouTube: https://str.sg/4Vwsa --- Special edition series: True Crimes Of Asia (6 eps): https://str.sg/i44T The Unsolved Mysteries of South-east Asia (5 eps): https://str.sg/wuZ2 Invisible Asia (9 eps): https://str.sg/wuZn Stop Scams (10 eps): https://str.sg/wuZB Singapore's War On Covid (5 eps): https://str.sg/wuJa --- Get The Straits Times' app, which has a dedicated podcast player section: The App Store: https://str.sg/icyB Google Play: https://str.sg/icyX #stopscams See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

28 min

11 Episodes

Synopsis: This is a special 10-part podcast series by The Straits Times to raise greater public awareness in Singapore and globally, to highlight the latest scam tactics, trends and ways authorities are dealing with this modern-day scourge. Podcasters: Andre Yeo, David Sun, Jessie Lim, Wong Shiying. Produced and edited by: Teo Tong Kai Executive producers: Ernest Luis A podcast by The Straits Times, SPH Media.

Creator

The Straits Times
Years Active

2022 - 2025
Episodes

11
Rating

Clean
Copyright

© 2026 The Straits Times
Show Website

Stop Scams