The Announcement of Police Cyber Command

Singapore's fight against the relentless tide of online scams and cyber threats is entering a bold new phase. On May 11, 2026, Minister of State for Home Affairs Goh Pei Ming unveiled plans for the Police Cyber Command (PCC) during the opening ceremony of the Anti-Scam Conference 2026 at the Police Cantonment Complex. This dedicated unit, set to launch in July, marks a strategic escalation in the Singapore Police Force's (SPF) efforts to safeguard citizens in an increasingly digital world.

The announcement comes at a pivotal moment. Despite a welcome decline in scam cases last year, cybercrime remains a dominant force, eroding trust and causing substantial financial pain. With scammers evolving their tactics using artificial intelligence (AI) and cryptocurrencies, the PCC represents a proactive shift from reactive policing to upstream disruption of criminal networks.

🛡️ Singapore's Scam Epidemic: A Closer Look at the Numbers

To grasp the urgency, consider the scale of the problem. In 2025, Singapore recorded 41,974 cases of scams and cybercrimes, a 24.8 percent drop from 2024's peak, according to the SPF's Annual Scams and Cybercrime Brief. Financial losses fell 18 percent to S$913.1 million, the first annual decline after years of escalation. Yet, scams alone accounted for 37,308 cases, with investment fraud leading at S$336.2 million lost, followed by government official impersonation scams at S$242.9 million.

Early 2026 signals persistence: over 7,800 cases in the first quarter alone, with losses exceeding S$144.3 million. Demographics reveal vulnerability across ages, but seniors aged 65 and above suffered the highest average loss per case at S$37,053. E-commerce scams topped case volume at 6,703, while platforms like TikTok saw a 37.8 percent surge in incidents.

Globally, scams drained US$442 billion (about S$561 billion) in 2025, per Interpol reports. In Singapore, the Anti-Scam Centre (ASC), established in 2019, has recovered over S$730 million, including S$140.5 million in 2025—S$117.7 million in fiat currency and S$22.8 million in crypto via the new Crypto Tracing Team launched in March 2025. Proactive interventions averted another S$348 million.

Unpacking Police Cyber Command: Mandate and Structure

The Police Cyber Command will start with approximately 200 dedicated officers, expanding to more than 400, consolidating SPF's fragmented cyber and anti-scam assets into a unified powerhouse. Unlike previous siloed units, PCC embeds the ASC directly, enhancing cryptocurrency tracing with blockchain intelligence for faster fund freezes despite crypto's borderless, irreversible nature.

Its core mandate: proactive threat disruption. Officers will target criminal infrastructure upstream—fake websites, phishing phone lines, and scam channels—before victims are hit. This front-line unit prioritizes speed: detecting and dismantling operations quicker and cheaper than scammers can rebuild. International operations will intensify, building on successes like Project FRONTIER+, which recovered S$28 million and led to over 2,100 arrests across jurisdictions including Hong Kong, Malaysia, and Thailand.

Leadership details are emerging, but the command falls under SPF oversight, with Minister Goh emphasizing it as "the tip of the spear" in cyber defense. Recruitment may leverage tech-savvy National Servicemen (NSFs) from the Cybercrime Operator vocation introduced in 2024.

From Fragmentation to Unity: Merging Existing Capabilities

Prior to PCC, SPF relied on the Cybercrime Command (CCC, est. 2015) for investigations like ransomware and hacking, and the ASC for scam response. CCC handled digital forensics and policy, while ASC focused on recoveries and alerts—over 32,800 SMS warnings to 26,000 victims in 2025 alone.

PCC unifies these, creating synergies. For instance, CCC's forensics will pair with ASC's real-time interventions, amplified by NSF operators monitoring platforms. This addresses gaps in cross-border crypto scams, where transactions complete in seconds across jurisdictions, complicating freezes. Expanded teams will use advanced tools to trace virtual assets like Tether and Ethereum, which comprised 91.7 percent of 2025 crypto losses.

AI at the Forefront: Technological Edge Against Evolving Threats

AI is central to PCC's arsenal. Currently, SPF AI identifies and blocks two-thirds of scam sites swiftly. The new command will accelerate this, developing algorithms to outpace AI-wielding criminals—Interpol notes AI fraud is 4.5 times more profitable.

Scammers deploy deepfakes for impersonation and generative AI for phishing. PCC counters with machine learning for pattern detection, automated takedowns, and predictive analytics. Integration with the Online Criminal Harms Act (2024) mandates platforms disrupt malicious activity, aligning with PCC's upstream focus. For more on AI's role, see the Straits Times coverage.

Cryptocurrency Scams: Navigating the Digital Wild West

Crypto losses hit S$182.2 million in 2025 (20 percent of total). ASP Lee Hua Sheng of ASC highlights challenges: "Unlike conventional bank transfers, crypto transactions are fast, borderless, and irreversible." PCC's embedded ASC will bolster blockchain forensics, partnering globally to seize assets pre-movement.

Examples include job scams promising crypto investments or investment frauds via fake apps. PCC aims to disrupt mule accounts and wallets proactively.

Global Partnerships: Project FRONTIER+ and Beyond

No borders in cybercrime. PCC strengthens ties via Project FRONTIER+, busting 17 syndicates in 2025. Collaborations with Interpol, ASEANAPOL, and firms like Group-IB (honored by SPF in 2025) enhance intel-sharing. Detailed stats available at SPF's 2025 report.

Enforcement Wins and Case Spotlights

April 2026: Operation nabbed 251 scammers/mules linked to 665 cases (e-com, job scams). Investment scams often lure via social media promises of 20-50 percent returns, vanishing funds post-transfer.

Phishing: Fake buyers on Carousell demand overpayment refunds. PCC will target these platforms upstream.

Stakeholder Perspectives: From Minister to Officers

Minister Goh: "Scams erode trust... seniors become 'digital refusers'." ASP Lee stresses cross-border hurdles. Experts praise unification, per cybersecurity analysts, positioning Singapore as regional leader. Community leaders note NSF integration builds talent pipeline.

Complementary Measures: ScamShield and Community Engagement

ScamShield app (call 1799) blocks calls/sites. New laws, platform mandates, and outreach empower citizens. PCC amplifies via education, targeting vulnerable groups.

Societal Ripples and Public Sentiment

Scams isolate seniors, ruin retirements. Social media buzz post-announcement shows optimism, with calls for vigilance. X posts highlight relief amid Q1 spikes.

Future Horizons: Sustaining Momentum

PCC's launch signals commitment amid AI evolution. Expected: further declines via tech, partnerships. SPF eyes NSF expansion for sustained capacity.

Photo by CFPhotosin Photography on Unsplash

Actionable Advice: Protect Yourself Today

• Verify callers via official channels.
• Avoid unsolicited investments; check MAS blacklist.
• Use ScamShield; enable 2FA.
• Report via Police@SG app.
• Educate family on phishing red flags.

By partnering with PCC, Singaporeans can reclaim digital safety.