Singapore Implements Caning for Digital Fraud Offenses Under New Legislation

Singapore's Parliament has approved significant legislative amendments that introduce corporal punishment for offenses related to digital fraud. This decisive action is a direct response to the alarming proliferation of online scams, which have inflicted substantial economic damage on the nation. Under the provisions of the new law, individuals convicted of these cybercrimes face severe penalties, potentially receiving between six and twenty-four strokes of the cane.

The urgency of this measure is underscored by recent financial data. In just the first half of 2025 alone, monetary losses stemming from fraudulent schemes surpassed 385 million Singapore dollars. Crucially, the new legislation casts a wide net, targeting not only the primary perpetrators but also various supporting elements within criminal networks. This includes recruiters and individuals known as “money mules.”

Money mules are those who knowingly provide their bank accounts, SIM cards, or digital identity credentials, such as their Singpass details, to facilitate illicit activities. Those found guilty of intentionally aiding criminals in this manner may be sentenced to up to 12 strokes of the cane. Furthermore, the law imposes harsher penalties on those operating within organized fraud groups. A person committing a crime as part of such a syndicate faces a mandatory minimum of six strokes of the cane, in addition to a fine of up to 100 thousand dollars or a maximum of five years in prison.

During parliamentary hearings, Senior Minister of State for Home Affairs and Foreign Affairs Sim Ann provided startling context regarding the scale of the problem. She noted that digital fraud accounts for a staggering 60% of all crimes officially reported in Singapore. The period spanning from 2020 through September 2025 saw approximately 190,000 instances of digital deception recorded, with the cumulative financial toll reaching nearly 3.88 billion Singapore dollars. This massive financial hemorrhage necessitated the government's stringent response.

Corporal punishment, specifically caning, is already a well-established judicial practice within Singapore's legal system, applied in both civil court and military contexts. The punishment is administered using flexible rods made of rattan or bamboo, which typically measure between 60 and 120 centimeters in length and have a thickness ranging from 4 to 13 millimeters. However, the application of this measure is strictly limited by specific demographic exemptions: Caning is not carried out on girls, women, or men who are over the age of 50. The government anticipates that this landmark legislation will take effect in the coming weeks, signaling an uncompromising shift in the nation's strategy for combating rampant cybercrime.