Singapore Issues Ultimatum to Meta Over Facebook Scams, Threatens S$1 Million Fine

Singapore Demands Action on Impersonation Scams

The Singapore government has issued a stern directive to Meta Platforms, the parent company of Facebook, demanding that it implement robust measures to combat impersonation scams on its platform by September 30. Failure to comply could result in significant financial penalties, including an initial fine of up to S$1 million (approximately $776,639 USD) and further daily fines of S$100,000 for continued non-compliance.

This ultimatum marks the first such order issued under Singapore's new Online Criminal Harms Act (OCHA), which came into force in February 2024. The directive, issued on Wednesday, September 24, 2025, by the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) and the Singapore Police Force (SPF), specifically targets the surge in scams where fraudsters impersonate government officials.

Rising Tide of Scams on Facebook

Authorities in Singapore have observed a concerning increase in impersonation scams exploiting Facebook. Between June 2024 and June 2025, scammers increasingly utilized videos and images of government office holders in fake advertisements, accounts, profiles, and business pages to deceive the public. Police statistics reveal that scams involving the impersonation of government officials nearly tripled in the first half of 2025, reaching 1,762 cases, compared to 589 in the same period last year. These scams have led to substantial financial losses, totaling S$126.5 million in the first half of 2025, an 88% increase from the previous year.

Facebook has been identified by Singaporean authorities as the 'top platform' used by scammers for these types of impersonation frauds.

Required Measures and Meta's Stance

To address the escalating issue, Singapore is requiring Meta to introduce specific measures, including the use of facial recognition technology, to help curb impersonation scams. The broader expectation is for Meta to implement comprehensive anti-scam measures targeting fraudulent advertisements, accounts, profiles, and business pages that impersonate key government officials.

While Meta did not immediately comment on this latest directive, a company spokesperson has previously stated that Meta employs 'specialized systems to detect impersonating accounts, including facial recognition technology,' and has 'invested heavily in improving detection and review teams.' The company also provides users with tips on avoiding scams and tools for reporting potential violations.

Broader Online Safety Framework

This directive is part of Singapore's ongoing commitment to enhancing online safety. The Online Criminal Harms Act, under which this order was issued, empowers the government to take more decisive action against online criminal activities. It complements the Online Safety (Miscellaneous Amendments) Act, which took effect in February 2023, aiming to create a safer online environment for users in Singapore and protect vulnerable individuals, particularly children, from harmful content.