SINGAPORE, November 13, 2025 (TBC) – New research from Trend Micro, a global leader in cybersecurity, has revealed that Singapore tops the Asia Pacific (APAC) as the most targeted market for job scams. Over half (53%) of individuals reported being targeted, and nearly one in five (18%) had been affected by a scam.

Amidst projected slower global and local economic growth in 2026, concerns around job and financial security are also fueling susceptibility to shopping scams, as 79% of Singaporeans cite rising prices as a key reason for hunting for deals more aggressively. As a staggering 96% of Singaporeans report worrying about their financial security and feeling the squeeze in today’s economic climate, the research further revealed that these stresses are key factors driving susceptibility to scams.

The research examines the relationship between financial security and prevalent scam tactics in eight markets globally, including Australia, New Zealand, Singapore, Taiwan and Japan in APAC. Delving into the experiences of more than 7,000 consumers, including over 500 people in Singapore, and addressing factors such as ploys by scammers, consumer motivations and response behaviours, the findings highlight the global pervasiveness of scams and the gaps that persist amongst consumers in combating this growing threat.

“Emotions are a powerful psychological tactic that scammers often capitalise on. In uncertain economic times, this vulnerability becomes even greater, alongside other visible pressures such as a challenging job market and rising living costs. In high-stress, high-pressure moments, consumers must combine knowledge and awareness, with healthy scepticism, caution, and the right digital tools to stay safe online,” said Ashley Millar, Consumer Education Director at Trend Micro.

Job scams on the rise as fraudsters exploit financial pressures

As economic uncertainty deepens and financial pressures mount, people in Singapore are on the lookout for opportunities to help ease their financial burden.

• 47% indicated that their source of income or financial security has been negatively impacted in the last 12 months.
• 62% of those who said they were negatively impacted said that it was mainly due to increased living expenses.

Scammers are quick to recognise this vulnerability, and are increasingly preying on those most affected by financial stress, turning job scams into a growing threat.

• Singapore is the most targeted market in APAC, with 53% of people reporting being targeted by job scams, far exceeding 42% in Australia, 39% in New Zealand, 30% in Taiwan, and just 12% in Japan. These offers often escalate to phone or email conversations, where scammers attempt to collect personal data or payment information.
• For those affected by job scams, the moment of realisation varied: 40% discovered it only after losing a significant amount of money, 20% after their account was hacked, and 16% when their bank alerted them.
• Singapore leads APAC in exposure, with 69% of Singaporeans receiving job or income offers via text or email, reflecting how high digital connectivity may be amplifying scam reach in Singapore.
• 35% of job offers originate from unfamiliar sources, and approximately 47% are sent by individuals who do not identify themselves, making it increasingly difficult for consumers to verify legitimacy and avoid a scam incident.
• The majority of job or income offers received by Singaporeans (69%) promised easy money for working just a few hours each day.
• Of these, nearly one in four (25%) people choose to engage with the text or emails received, driven primarily by the need for extra income (35%) and curiosity (31%), highlighting how economic pressures and uncertainty can make individuals more vulnerable to such scams.

Festive deals or fraud? The scams lurking behind online shopping

As the year-end shopping season kicks off, Singaporeans are also spending more time hunting for online bargains to save money, inadvertently raising their risk of being targeted by scams.

• 79% of Singaporeans say rising costs are their biggest concern, fuelling a surge in deal-hunting, showing how financial pressure is shaping consumer behaviour that leaves consumers more vulnerable to scams.
• Close to 6 in 10 or 59% are spending more time searching for discounts than last year, as households tighten their purses amid global economic instability.
• Singaporeans’ engagement with online promotions is among the highest in the region: 93% either “almost always” or “occasionally” click or buy when they spot a good deal, underscoring a strong appetite for discounts and how strong bargain-seeking tendencies may increase susceptibility to scams.
• 99% of respondents in Singapore are concerned about being targeted by scams or fraud, and 24% said that they had been scammed before.
• When asked how effectively they felt financial institutions shielded them from scams or fraud, 72% of individuals said they felt their bank or financial institution’s anti-scam measures were somewhat to extremely effective.

Trend Micro’s research findings underscore the urgent need for stronger consumer awareness and good digital hygiene habits. Staying informed, questioning offers that seem too good to be true, and practising good cyber hygiene such as verifying identities, avoiding clicking suspicious links and pausing before sharing personal details are simple steps that consumers can safeguard themselves. Prompt reporting of any irregular activity to financial institutions or authorities can also help mitigate potential scams and losses.

With financial pressures unlikely to ease soon, Singaporeans must stay alert to the growing threat of online scams and prioritise digital safety because in times of uncertainty, vigilance is the best defence.

Trend Micro ScamCheck is available for download on the App Store and Google Play.

Methodology

The research was conducted by Trend Micro in August 2025 as part of a global study of 7,693 consumers across Australia, Canada, Japan, New Zealand, Singapore, Taiwan, the United Kingdom and the United States. Of which, 535 consumers aged 18 and above were surveyed in Singapore.