If someone calling as an ICA officer says your details were misused or linked to a crime, it is a scam — hang up. The call is often transferred to someone pretending to be a Chinese official, who demands money for an "investigation" or "bail"; police say at least 117 cases and $8.4 million in losses have been reported since January 2026. A second scam uses Facebook ads offering help with Singapore PR applications, then asks for fees on WhatsApp and sends fake ICA emails with forged approval letters — at least 31 reports and $400,000 lost. Government officials will never ask you to transfer money, give bank login details, take a loan, or transfer your call to another official. If unsure, call the free 24-hour ScamShield Helpline at 1799.