From 587 cases per 100,000 population in 2018, Singapore’s overall crime rate climbed to 617 cases per 100,000 population in 2019. The number is the highest since 2010 when the rate was 653 cases per 100,000 population.
From 4,608 cases in 2018, the unlicensed moneylending (UML)-related harassment cases increased by 15 percent to 5,301 cases in 2019. There was also an increase of cases of harassment by electronic means, which accounted for the majority of the UML-related harassment cases.
A total of 9,502 scams were reported in 2019, a 53.5 percent jump from 6,189 cases in 2018. Scams accounted for 27 percent of crimes reported, up from 19 percent in 2018.
Among the top 10 scam types, e-commerce scams, loan scams and credit-for-sex scams are of “particular concern”, pointing out that they made up 60 percent of the scams.
“Some of our senior citizens, they may be less sceptical and less questioning when scammers call them. So it will be very helpful – if a call comes in asking for personal particulars – they either put down the phone, or they’re inclined to give some answers,” Singapore’s National Crime Prevention Council chairman Gerald Singham said.
