Singapore has taken a firm stand against Meta, ordering the tech giant to implement stringent anti-scam measures on Facebook following a sharp increase in impersonation scams involving government officials. Under the recently enacted Online Criminal Harms Act, which came into effect in February 2024, Meta faces a potential fine of up to S$1 million (~US$750,000) if it fails to comply. This move signals a broader shift in regulatory approaches across the globe, as governments pivot from voluntary collaboration with tech platforms to mandatory enforcement backed by significant penalties.
A Surge in Impersonation Scams
The directive from Singapore’s police comes in response to a nearly threefold rise in impersonation scams on Facebook, with cases involving government officials jumping from 589 in 2024 to 1,762 in the first half of 2025. According to police data, financial losses from these scams soared by 88% year-on-year, reaching S$126.5 million (~US$94.9 million) in just six months. Minister of State for Home Affairs Goh Pei Ming emphasized that Facebook has become the primary platform for such fraudulent activities, necessitating stronger action to protect users.
These scams often involve fraudsters posing as government officials to deceive victims into transferring money or sharing sensitive information. The scale of the issue is compounded by the platform’s role in e-commerce scams, with over a third of such incidents in Singapore in 2024 reported on Facebook. Notably, Facebook Marketplace has been rated the weakest among six major marketplaces for anti-scam features, highlighting persistent vulnerabilities despite Meta’s efforts to bolster user safety. 
From Collaboration to Enforcement
Singapore’s order against Meta marks a significant departure from previous approaches, where tech companies were encouraged to adopt anti-scam measures voluntarily. The threat of a S$1 million fine under the Online Criminal Harms Act is the first implementation of this legislation, reflecting years of frustration with Meta’s response to government recommendations. Officials have previously noted that the company had consistently pushed back against suggestions to enhance protections, prompting regulators to adopt a more forceful stance.
This shift mirrors a global trend where tech platforms face increasing scrutiny and mandatory compliance requirements. Governments worldwide are growing weary of self-regulation by Big Tech, particularly when concrete data—such as Singapore’s reported S$126.5 million in losses—illustrates the tangible harm caused by online scams. Singapore’s approach, while enacted in a smaller jurisdiction, could serve as a model for larger markets, demonstrating how targeted enforcement actions backed by specific legislation can hold tech giants accountable.
The Challenge of Scale
Meta’s struggle to curb scams on Facebook underscores the inherent challenges of managing a platform with nearly 3 billion users worldwide. Even with significant investments in content moderation and fraud prevention technology, the sheer scale of the platform means that small failure rates in scam detection can result in millions of fraudulent interactions reaching users. In 2024 alone, Meta removed over 157 million pieces of scam content across its platforms, yet Facebook still accounted for 56% of detected social media scams globally and over a third of Singapore’s e-commerce scams.
The rapid evolution of scammer tactics further complicates the issue. In Singapore, the tripling of government impersonation scams between 2024 and 2025 suggests that fraudsters are adapting faster than platform countermeasures can keep up. This dynamic is particularly evident on Facebook Marketplace, which continues to receive low ratings for anti-scam features despite Meta’s efforts to improve safety protocols for users in Singapore since 2024, following earlier criticism from the government.
Regulatory Implications and Global Context
The enforcement action against Meta in Singapore raises important questions about the future of online safety regulation. As governments move toward mandatory compliance, tech companies may face escalating financial penalties and stricter oversight. Singapore’s Online Criminal Harms Act, for instance, provides a legal framework to penalize platforms that fail to address criminal activities, setting a precedent for other jurisdictions grappling with similar issues. This approach contrasts with earlier collaborative efforts, where tech giants often resisted voluntary measures until faced with the prospect of substantial fines.
Moreover, Singapore’s actions highlight the role of smaller jurisdictions in shaping global regulatory trends. While larger markets like the European Union and the United States often dominate discussions on tech regulation, Singapore’s ability to enforce impactful measures—supported by concrete data on financial losses—demonstrates that smaller players can influence the broader landscape. This could encourage other nations to adopt similar legislation, particularly in regions where online scams have a significant economic and social impact.
Meta’s Response and User Safety
Meta has introduced some safety features for Facebook users in Singapore since 2024, responding to earlier governmental pressure. These include enhanced verification processes and warnings about suspicious activity, though specifics remain limited in public statements. Despite these efforts, the platform’s persistent vulnerabilities suggest that more robust measures are needed to address the evolving nature of online fraud. The low anti-scam ratings for Facebook Marketplace, in particular, indicate that user trust remains a critical concern.
For users, the rise in scams serves as a reminder of the importance of vigilance when engaging with online platforms. Impersonation scams, often sophisticated in their execution, exploit trust in authority figures, making them particularly difficult to detect. As Meta works to comply with Singapore’s directive, users may see further changes to the platform’s interface and policies aimed at reducing the risk of fraud. However, the effectiveness of these changes will depend on the company’s ability to stay ahead of scammers’ tactics.
Broader Economic and Social Impacts
The financial toll of online scams in Singapore—S$126.5 million in losses in the first half of 2025 alone—underscores the broader economic implications of digital fraud. Beyond individual losses, these scams erode public trust in digital platforms, which are increasingly central to economic activity through e-commerce and social interactions. For a tech-savvy nation like Singapore, where digital transformation is a cornerstone of economic policy, ensuring the integrity of online spaces is paramount.
Socially, the prevalence of impersonation scams targeting government officials risks undermining confidence in public institutions. Victims, deceived by fraudsters posing as trusted authorities, may become wary of legitimate communications, complicating efforts to engage citizens through digital channels. Addressing this issue requires not only technological solutions but also public education campaigns to raise awareness about the hallmarks of online fraud.
Looking Ahead
As Singapore enforces its directive against Meta, the tech industry watches closely to see how this precedent will shape future interactions between governments and digital platforms. Will other jurisdictions follow suit with similar legislation, or will collaborative approaches regain traction if Meta demonstrates significant progress in curbing scams? The answers remain uncertain, but what is clear is that the era of voluntary compliance may be drawing to a close, replaced by a new paradigm of accountability and enforcement.
For now, Singapore’s move serves as a stark reminder that even the largest tech giants are not immune to regulatory action when public harm reaches critical levels. As the battle against online scams intensifies, the balance between platform autonomy and governmental oversight will continue to evolve, with implications for users and policymakers alike across the globe.
