Singapore Targets TikTok and Carousell Mule Accounts, Platform Fines Increase 10 Times

JAKARTA - Singapore is preparing new rules to suppress increasingly aggressive digital fraud. The target is not only the main perpetrators, but also account mules on platforms such as Carousell, TikTok, Telegram, Facebook, Instagram, and WhatsApp.

Account mules are people who provide, sell, buy, or hand over personal data to create online accounts that are then used in crimes.

The Straits Times, quoted on Tuesday, August 4, reported that the rule was included in the Scams (Countermeasures) and Other Matters Bill submitted to Parliament on August 4.

So far, Singapore has rules to crack down on money mules, SIM card suppliers, and Singpass account owners used for fraud.

A money mule is a person or account used to store or transfer money from a crime.

However, the police do not have a specific basis for violating the parties who supply online accounts on Facebook, Instagram, WhatsApp, Telegram, TikTok, and Carousell for fraudulent actions.

If passed, the bill would make it a crime to supply, receive, possess, or provide personal information to create such an account, if linked to criminal activity.

Online account mules found guilty can be fined up to 10,000 Singapore dollars, jailed for up to three years, and caned 12 times.

The bill also increases pressure on online service providers. Platforms that do not comply with the code of practice and implementation guidelines can be fined a maximum of 10 million Singapore dollars, up from the previous 1 million Singapore dollars.

For ongoing violations, the daily fine was raised from 100,000 Singapore dollars to 300,000 Singapore dollars.

Meta previously received two implementation directives in September 2025 and January 2026. The directive requires the company to implement anti-fraud measures.

Police said the directive based on the Online Criminal Harms Act had reduced the case of identity impersonation fraud on Facebook.

However, fraud remains a major problem. The Straits Times said fraud accounted for three out of five police reports in Singapore in 2025.

Cases of fraud by impersonating government officials jumped from 1,504 cases in 2024 to 3,363 cases in 2025. The modus is the fifth most common type of fraud in 2025.

Losses due to fraud in 2025 reached 913.1 million Singapore dollars. Since 2019, victims in Singapore have lost more than 4 billion Singapore dollars.

The bill also paves the way for the use of computer programs, including those using artificial intelligence or AI, to issue anti-fraud directives.

Police say fraud syndicates can now create many fake websites, accounts, and ads in a short time. Manual checks are difficult to keep up with this speed. Many syndicates have also used AI in their operations.

The police said that security would be prepared so that the program used would remain accurate and fair.

The bill introduces three new orders that the police can issue to banks, telecommunications companies, and online service providers.

First, the Disclosure Order. Service providers are required to provide information related to certain accounts and activities related to fraud.

Second, the Account Deactivation Order. Service providers are required to deactivate certain accounts for up to 30 days. This period can be extended once for another 30 days.

The two orders will support the exchange of information through the National Scams List that is being developed by the police. This system is designed so that information between the government and related partners can be shared automatically and instantly.

Minister of State for Home Affairs Goh Pei Ming previously said the information shared included the identity of the perpetrators, bank accounts, phone lines, and online accounts.

With this data, banks can stop the flow of money from fraud and suspend accounts that could be used for fraud before the money is transferred.

The police also noted that the framework of facility restrictions had been implemented since October 2025. As of June 30, a total of 1,423 money mules, 1,439 SIM card mules, and 53 corporate mules had entered the framework.

They can be restricted from accessing financial services, telecommunications, and Singpass.

To strengthen the framework, the bill introduces a third order, namely the Service Restriction Order. The police can ask service providers to restrict services to a person to fight fraud. This restriction can apply for up to three years.

The bill will also change the rules so that the police can obtain the necessary customer information from banks, including data on joint account holders. Previously, the Banking Law limited banks from sharing customer information with the police.

After the launch of the Cyber Command, the police plan to recruit civilians to help fight cybercrime.

The bill will give the Civil Affairs Officer the basis to conduct searches, arrests, seizures, and document requests.