Singapore’s 24 Strokes of the Cane Punishment for Scammers

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Singapore has taken a decisive step in combating the nation’s escalating fraud crisis by introducing unprecedented penalties in its criminal justice system. The country’s government has announced that scammers and members of scam syndicates will face severe corporal punishment, with sentences reaching up to 24 strokes of the cane depending on the severity of their offences. This landmark legislation represents one of the most stringent anti-scam measures implemented globally and reflects Singapore’s commitment to protecting citizens from organised financial fraud.

The Escalating Scam Crisis in Singapore

The decision to introduce 24 strokes of the cane as a punishment mechanism did not emerge in isolation. Singapore has been grappling with a significant and growing scam problem over the past several years. Since 2019, the nation has lost more than $3.4 billion to various scam operations. The situation deteriorated markedly in recent years, with victims losing a record $1.1 billion in 2024 alone. The trend continued into 2025, with losses exceeding $600 million during the period from January to August. These staggering figures underline why the government determined that stronger deterrent measures were necessary.

The Ministry of Home Affairs identified fighting scams as a top national priority, citing both the increasing number of cases and the astronomical financial losses as areas of serious concern. Rather than relying solely on traditional imprisonment and fines, which had proven insufficient as deterrents, lawmakers decided to implement corporal punishment through caning as an additional sentencing option for convicted scammers.

Understanding the New Criminal Law Amendments

The Criminal Law (Miscellaneous Amendments) Bill, which introduced these changes, establishes a tiered punishment system based on the offender’s role within scam operations. The legislation distinguishes between various categories of perpetrators and assigns appropriate penalties for each tier.

Mandatory Caning for Scammers and Syndicate Members

For scammers and members of scam syndicates, caning is now mandatory. These offenders face a minimum of six strokes, with sentences potentially reaching up to 24 strokes of the cane, depending on aggravating factors and the overall severity of their crimes. This mandatory minimum ensures that convicted scammers cannot avoid corporal punishment through alternative sentencing arrangements.

The graduated scale from six to 24 strokes allows the judiciary to calibrate punishments according to the specific circumstances of each case. Factors that might push sentencing toward the higher end of the spectrum include the scale of the fraud, the number of victims affected, the amount of money stolen, and whether the offender held a leadership or recruiting position within the criminal syndicate.

Discretionary Caning for Scam Recruiters

Recruiters who enlist individuals into scam operations face similar consequences. They are also liable for up to 24 strokes of the cane, though the application of this penalty remains at the court’s discretion alongside mandatory caning requirements. Recruiters play a crucial role in expanding scam networks by identifying and enrolling new members, making their prosecution a priority for law enforcement.

Discretionary Caning for Money Mules

A separate category of offenders targeted by the new legislation comprises money mules—individuals who provide their personal financial infrastructure to facilitate scam operations. Money mules might supply their bank accounts, SIM cards, or Singpass credentials (Singapore’s digital identity system) to be used by scammers. Unlike the mandatory caning for primary offenders, money mules face discretionary caning of up to 12 strokes. This means courts have the authority to impose caning as part of sentencing but are not obligated to do so. The discretionary nature acknowledges that whilst money mules actively participate in scams, they often occupy less significant roles within criminal hierarchies.

Broader Context of Caning in Singapore’s Legal System

It is important to understand that caning is not a new punishment mechanism in Singapore’s criminal justice system. The nation currently has 161 offences that attract caning as a potential penalty, with 65 of these offences mandating it. However, the introduction of caning for scam-related offences represents a significant expansion of this practice into the realm of financial crime.

Historically, caning has been applied primarily to violent offences, sexual crimes, drug trafficking, and crimes against public order. By extending caning to scam offences, Singapore’s legislature has signalled that financial fraud warrants punishment of equivalent severity to these categories of crime. This represents a philosophical shift in how the legal system views white-collar and organised crime.

The Legislation’s Comprehensive Approach

The Criminal Law (Miscellaneous Amendments) Bill encompassed far more than scam-related offences. The legislation also reviewed existing caning penalties and made adjustments across the criminal code. For 22 offences, the government proposed either removing caning entirely or making it discretionary rather than mandatory. Examples include offences under the Railways Act that had become less relevant to contemporary public safety concerns.

Additionally, the Bill proposed expanding the discretionary application of caning to offences like extortion and carrying offensive weapons in public. These changes suggest a broader recalibration of Singapore’s approach to corporal punishment, ensuring that caning is applied thoughtfully and proportionally across the criminal justice spectrum.

Implementation and Future Impact

The introduction of up to 24 strokes of the cane for scammers and syndicate members represents a dramatic escalation in the consequences faced by those engaging in financial fraud. For a nation that has invested heavily in digital infrastructure and digital identity systems, the vulnerability of these systems to exploitation by scammers prompted an equally dramatic legal response.

The psychological deterrent effect of such severe punishment should not be underestimated. For potential scammers considering whether to participate in or establish scam operations, the prospect of up to 24 strokes of the cane alongside lengthy imprisonment creates a formidable disincentive. Similarly, individuals considering recruitment into scam networks must now weigh the risk of severe corporal punishment against any promised financial rewards.

Addressing the Mule Problem

The specific targeting of money mules through discretionary caning addresses a critical vulnerability in scam prevention. Money mules often operate under the belief that they are committing minor offences by simply lending their financial credentials to others. By extending caning penalties to this category of offender, the legislation aims to dissuade individuals from participating even peripherally in scam operations.

The discretionary nature of caning for mules provides courts with flexibility to account for varying levels of culpability. A desperate individual who provided banking credentials under coercion or false pretences might receive a more lenient sentence than a professional mule actively involved in multiple scam operations.

Conclusion

Singapore’s decision to implement up to 24 strokes of the cane as punishment for scammers reflects the severity with which the government views the nation’s ongoing fraud crisis. With billions of dollars lost annually to scam operations and hundreds of thousands of victims affected, traditional sentencing approaches were deemed insufficient to deter offenders. The tiered penalty structure—with mandatory caning for scammers and syndicate members and discretionary caning for mules—creates a comprehensive legal framework targeting all levels of scam operations.

Whether this unprecedented measure achieves its intended deterrent effect remains to be seen, but it undoubtedly represents one of the world’s most stringent responses to organised fraud. As the legislation takes effect, Singapore’s experience may offer insights into how nations can address the scourge of organised financial crime whilst maintaining proportionate and effective criminal justice outcomes.