Singapore Orders Meta to Fight Impersonation Scams

Singapore, September 25, 2025 – The Singapore government has issued a directive to Meta Platforms, owner of Facebook, demanding urgent action against rising impersonation scams. The government has set a deadline at the end of September for the tech giant to implement stronger anti-scam measures, including facial recognition technology to detect and remove fake accounts more effectively.

Impersonation scams have surged in Singapore, with criminals creating fake profiles and advertisements that impersonate government officials and trusted organizations. These scams trick individuals into sharing personal information or sending money, resulting in financial loss, identity theft, and emotional distress.

Between June 2024 and June 2025, the Ministry of Home Affairs reported a sharp increase in such scams, particularly on Facebook. Senior government officials’ photos and videos were frequently misused to lend credibility to fraudulent accounts, raising concerns about public trust in online platforms.

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The directive requires Meta to strengthen safety controls and introduce advanced tools to verify account authenticity. If the company fails to meet the September deadline, it could face fines of up to S$1 million (approximately $776,639), with additional daily penalties of up to S$100,000. This marks the first enforcement under Singapore’s Online Criminal Harms Act, effective February 2024, designed to hold tech companies accountable for online harms.

Meta has globally implemented measures to curb impersonation scams, including AI systems, facial recognition, content moderation teams, and advertiser verification. However, Singapore authorities say these steps are insufficient to protect local users and demand stronger action.

The Ministry of Home Affairs and Singapore Police Force emphasized the need for enhanced measures to protect public safety. Impersonation scams not only harm individuals financially and emotionally but also erode confidence in social media platforms and digital services.

Experts note that Singapore’s directive may have wider implications for the global tech industry, signaling increased government oversight and stricter accountability for online platforms. Successful implementation of new safety tools by Meta could serve as a model for safer social media practices worldwide.

Meta is reviewing the directive and has pledged cooperation with Singapore authorities to implement the required measures before the end-of-September deadline.