Singapore, where spitting in public and selling chewing gum is illegal, has long been known for its strict laws.
Now, scammers and recruiters for scam groups face a legal crackdown that allows them to be punished with six to 24 strokes of the cane — a penalty usually reserved for rapists and drug traffickers.
Senior Minister of State for Home Affairs, Sim Ann, who presented the bill before it passed this week, said scams accounted for 60 percent of all criminal activity in Singapore.
Other offenses that already carry the penalty of caning include rape, drug trafficking and illegal moneylending. The punishment only applies to male offenders under the age of 50.
Judicial caning was introduced to Singapore during British colonial rule in the 19th century and, far from phasing it out, the government has broadened its use in recent years. It is also used in a less severe form at boys’ schools.
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Caning might sound mild, but prisoners have described the blows from the long rattan stick as excruciating, breaking the skin by the second or third lash.
The offender is typically required to strip naked before he is tied to a wooden trestle in a secluded area of the prison for the punishment.
Other countries that use judicial caning include Malaysia and Indonesia, as well as some countries with Islamic legal systems like Qatar, the United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia, and Iran.
Though Singapore is a relatively safe country to visit, tourists should be wary of scams, according to Smartraveller.
“Scammers call or send text messages and pretend to be local government officials, banks or telecommunications companies in an attempt to obtain your personal information,” the service said.
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“If you have suspicions about a call you receive, hang up immediately, delete texts, and immediately verify by contacting the agency or company’s official numbers.”
It also warned of scammers who “pretend to be landlords on property websites and offer fake rental properties”.
“Research the property and landlord before agreeing to a property rental or sale contract.”
Scams cost Australians $2.03 billion last year, according to figures from the National Anti-Scam Centre. That’s a 20 per cent decrease on the year before, which suggests Aussies are becoming more savvy in protecting their money and information.
Although exact figures aren’t available, many scams targeting Australians originate overseas, particularly in Southeast Asia, India, and the Philippines, where weak regulation and enforcement have allowed the proliferation of scam centers.
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