New six-month initiative trains the public to spot scams amid rising cyber threats
As cyber threats grow more sophisticated, Singapore is taking a proactive step to strengthen public resilience. A new nationwide exercise will place citizens in realistic scam scenarios, helping them build instincts to recognize and resist digital deception before real harm occurs.
First-Ever National Simulated Scams Exercise
Singapore will conduct its first National Simulated Scams Exercise from March 1 to Aug 31, 2026, as part of Exercise SG Ready under the Total Defence framework. The initiative is led by the Cyber Security Agency of Singapore with support from the Ministry of Home Affairs, and public registration opened on Feb 1. Participants will experience simulated scam attempts in a controlled and safe environment to better understand how scammers operate.
Focus on Government Impersonation Scams
The exercise targets one of the most prevalent threats in Singapore: government official impersonation scams. Participants may receive robocalls mimicking real scam tactics at any point during the six-month period. No sensitive personal or financial information will be requested, and calls will automatically terminate if such details are attempted. Participants will also receive follow-up emails with practical tips on scam avoidance.
Part of Exercise SG Ready 2026
The simulated scams initiative forms part of Exercise SG Ready 2026, which runs from Feb 1 to 15 and is coordinated by agencies including the Ministry of Defence, IMDA, the Energy Market Authority, People’s Association, and the Singapore Civil Defence Force. This year’s focus is on preparing Singaporeans for scenarios involving degraded digital connectivity and prolonged power outages.
Real-World Threats Behind the Exercise
Speaking at the Total Defence Commemoration Event at Our Tampines Hub on Feb 1, Minister for Digital Development and Information Josephine Teo highlighted that Singapore’s critical information infrastructure faced a real and deliberate cyberattack in 2025. Coordinating Minister for National Security K. Shanmugam later confirmed the attacker as state-sponsored cyberespionage group UNC3886, warning that such threats could disrupt electricity supply and essential services like healthcare and transport.
Testing Digital and Community Resilience
To simulate real disruption, non-emergency digital services such as the Safra app and selected professional websites were placed on maintenance mode for one hour on Feb 1. The Public Warning System also broadcast the “Important Message” signal, while alerts were sent via ERP 2.0 onboard units. Residents were encouraged to tune in to FM radio for updates, reinforcing the importance of analog alternatives during digital outages.
Grassroots Mobilisation on the Ground
A pilot Community Mobilisation activity was conducted at two HDB blocks in Tampines, where volunteers distributed infographics, emergency preparedness tips, and analogue radios. Volunteers emphasized mindset shifts, neighborly vigilance, and having emergency kits ready. The exercise tested volunteer response processes and ensured residents received essential information during simulated prolonged disruptions.
Singapore’s first National Simulated Scams Exercise reflects a broader shift toward collective preparedness in an increasingly digital and interconnected region. For Indonesians and Singaporeans alike, the initiative highlights the importance of public awareness, cross-agency coordination, and community resilience in facing cyber threats that transcend borders and impact everyday life.
Sources: Straits Times (2026) , Total Defence (2026)
Keywords: Simulated Scams Exercise, Cyber Security Agency Singapore, Total Defence 2026, Online Scam Prevention, Digital Resilience
