This article explores a proposal by MP Tan Wu Meng to consider caning for scam-related offenses, prompted by rising scam cases in Singapore:

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1. Scale of the problem:
   • Scam victims in Singapore lost $1.1 billion in 2024 alone
   • Total losses exceed $3.4 billion since 2019
   • More than 33,000 money mules and scammers were investigated between 2021-2024
2. Current situation:
   • Money mules can be charged under existing laws but don’t face caning
   • Current penalties include fines up to $250,000 and jail terms up to 5 years
   • Recent sentencing guidelines recommend jail terms of at least 6 months for money mules
3. Arguments for caning:
   • Could serve as a significant deterrent for calculated crimes
   • A similar approach worked for loan shark harassment cases, which decreased significantly after mandatory caning was introduced in 2010
   • Criminal lawyer Josephus Tan believes caning would have a deterrent effect on scam-related offenses
4. Arguments against caning:
   • Criminal lawyer Ramesh Tiwary questions its effectiveness, noting drug offenders reoffend despite caning
   • Could be disproportionate for money mules with limited knowledge or involvement
   • It would not affect women or men above 50 who cannot be caned (though they’d face increased jail terms)
5. Alternative approaches:
   • Education about legal consequences and financial literacy
   • Providing legitimate employment opportunities
   • Balancing deterrence with rehabilitation

The article presents perspectives from both sides of the debate while highlighting the profound impact of scams on victims in Singapore.

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Analysis of Money Mule Cases, Scamming, and the Potential Effectiveness of Caning

Money Mule Operations and Scamming in Singapore

Based on the article, money mules serve as a critical link in the scamming ecosystem:

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1. Recruitment patterns: Mules are often recruited through online advertisements promising “fast cash” for sharing bank accounts or Singpass details
2. Transaction volume: Some accounts handle millions in scam proceeds
3. Increasing prevalence: Investigation numbers rose from 7,500 in 2021 to over 9,600 in 2023 (slight decrease to 8,000 in 2024)
4. Legal changes: 2023 amendments to relevant laws made it easier to prosecute money mules, even those claiming ignorance of how their accounts were being used

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Current Sentencing and Effectiveness

The current approach uses fines and imprisonment:

• Fines up to $250,000
• Jail terms up to 5 years
• Recent sentencing guidelines recommending minimum 6-month jail terms

Despite these measures, scam cases have continued to increase yearly since 2020, with total losses reaching $1.1 billion in 2024 alone.

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Potential Effectiveness of Caning

The debate over caning’s effectiveness centers on several factors:

Arguments Supporting Effectiveness:

1. Precedent from loan shark cases: After introducing mandatory caning for loan shark harassment in 2010, cases dropped from 11,776 (2011) to 3,336 (2020)
2. Psychological deterrence: As MP Tan Wu Meng noted, money mule activity is “not a crime of passion” but instead calculated, suggesting punishment severity would factor into potential offenders’ risk calculations
3. Symbolic message: Demonstrate the government’s seriousness about scam prevention

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Arguments Against Effectiveness:

1. Uneven application: Women and men over 50 cannot be caned (though they would face extended jail terms)
2. Proportionality concerns: May be excessive for those with limited knowledge of their role
3. Evidence from drug cases: Some offenders still reoffend after caning, questioning its deterrent effect
4. Root causes unaddressed: Economic motivations driving people to become money mules might require different interventions

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Broader Considerations

1. Cost-benefit evaluation: Have existing sentencing guidelines been given sufficient time to demonstrate effectiveness before introducing more severe punishments?
2. Alternative approaches: Education, financial literacy, and legitimate employment opportunities might address motivation rather than just deterrence
3. Societal impact: Balancing punitive measures with rehabilitation opportunities

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The effectiveness of caning would likely depend on:

• How it’s implemented (mandatory vs. discretionary)
• Which specific offenses it apply to (organizing vs. participating)
• How it’s publicized to potential offenders
• Whether it’s part of a comprehensive approach addressing various aspects of scam operations

The loan shark harassment precedent suggests caning could potentially reduce scam-related activities, but this would need to be measured against proportionality concerns and complemented with preventative measures addressing underlying motivations.

Charis Chan makes several compelling points about the ineffectiveness and ethical concerns of Singapore’s proposed caning punishment for scammers.

Caning As A Potentially Ineffective Form of Deterrence

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Charis Chan argues that caning would be ineffective for several reasons:

• The potential financial rewards of scamming can outweigh the deterrent effect of physical punishment
• Caning doesn’t prevent group collaboration among scammers
• The punishment doesn’t address the recovery of stolen funds
• There are significant ethical concerns with inflicting physical harm as punishment

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Alternative Solutions Proposed

Instead of physical punishment, Charis suggests more constructive approaches:

1. Public awareness campaigns on large screens in Singapore’s urban areas
2. Educational programs in schools and workplaces to teach scam prevention
3. Establishing active hotlines for reporting and assistance

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Additional Considerations

I’d add that education and awareness are indeed powerful tools against scamming. When people understand common tactics like urgency pressure, impersonation of authorities, or unusual payment requests, they become much less susceptible to these schemes.

Technology solutions could complement these educational efforts:

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• AI-powered scam detection in banking and communication systems
• Secure verification processes for sensitive transactions
• Digital literacy programs specifically targeting vulnerable populations like seniors

The most effective approach would likely combine preventative education, technological safeguards, and appropriate legal consequences that focus on financial restitution rather than physical punishment.

Capital Punishment in Singapore

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Singapore maintains one of the world’s strictest capital punishment systems, known for its mandatory death penalty provisions and relatively high execution rate relative to its population size.

Current Status and Application

Capital punishment in Singapore is primarily carried out by hanging and applies to several offences:

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1. Drug trafficking – Perhaps the most internationally known application, with mandatory death sentences for trafficking specificImage may be NSFW.
   Clik here to view. quantities of controlled substances (e.g., 15+ grams of heroin, 500+ grams of cannabis)
2. Murder – Intentional murder carries a mandatory death sentence
3. Firearms offences – Unlawful discharge of firearms, even if no injury results
4. Terrorism-related crimes – Certain acts causing deaths
5. Kidnapping – In cases where the victim is harmed

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Legal Framework and Recent Changes

Singapore amended its laws in 2012 to provide some limited discretion in drug trafficking cases. Judges may now impose life imprisonment instead of death if:

• The accused was only a courier and not involved in the supply/distribution
• The accused provided substantive assistance to authorities in disrupting drug trafficking activities
• The accused has a mental or intellectual disability that substantially impairs responsibility for actions

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International and Domestic Perspectives

Singapore’s government maintains that capital punishment is a necessary deterrent for serious crimes, particularly drug trafficking. Officials often cite the country’s low crime rates as evidence of effectiveness.

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However, the practice has faced significant international criticism from human rights organizations and some countries that oppose capital punishment on humanitarian grounds.

Domestically, public opinion polls generally show majority support for the death penalty, though activist groups continue to campaign for abolition or reforms.

Recent Trends

While Singapore continues to carry out executions, there have been some signs of modest reforms in recent years, including:

• The introduction of limited judicial discretion mentioned above
• Greater transparency around execution statistics
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