South East Asia (SEA)

Singapore Scam Scams have taken a toll on the mental well-being of young victims in Singapore , leading them to seek counseling and assistance to cope with the emotional aftermath of substantial financial losses. In 2022, victims were cheated out of a staggering $660.7 million through job scams and cyber-fraud, raising alarm about the prevalence and impact of such fraudulent activities . Various scam types, including job cons, e-commerce hoaxes, investment fraud, and phishing attacks, constitute over 80 percent of the top 10 scams in Singapore. The detrimental consequences of falling prey to these scams go beyond financial loss, as victims experience feelings of helplessness, shame, and isolation. According to John Shepherd Lim, an officer at the Singapore Counseling Center (SCC), victims often feel that they have lost control over their lives and future, leading to low self-esteem and isolating behaviors. The fear of being blamed for being gullible adds to their sense of guilt and sh...