Renewed Scam Activity
The Singapore Police Force issued an urgent advisory on August 13, 2026, warning the public of a resurgence in phishing scams targeting Telegram users. Scammers are actively distributing messages that promise eligibility for a “$600 Public Transport Voucher 2026,” a fraudulent campaign designed to harvest personal information and take over user accounts.
According to the police, victims who interact with the phishing link—often embedded within a deceptive infographic—are redirected to a fraudulent website. This page prompts users to input sensitive data, including their full name, mobile number, NRIC number, and, most critically, a Telegram verification code. Once the victim provides this one-time password (OTP) or verification code, the attackers gain full control of the account.
The Mechanics of the Takeover
Once a Telegram account is compromised, the scammers exploit the victim’s trust network. They use the hijacked account to send similar phishing links to the victim’s existing contacts or add them to unauthorized chat groups that promote fraudulent investment schemes. Many victims remain unaware that their account has been compromised until they receive reports from friends about suspicious messages sent from their profile or notice unauthorized activity within the app.
Distinguishing Real from Fraudulent Schemes
Authorities have clarified that the official Public Transport Voucher (PTV) 2025 Exercise, which runs from January 20 to October 31, 2026, is intended for lower-income households with a monthly per capita income not exceeding $1,800. Eligible households receive $60 in vouchers, not the $600 promised by scammers.
Furthermore, the Ministry of Transport (MOT) and the People’s Association have confirmed they do not reach out to residents via Telegram for voucher claims. Official communications are handled through secure channels, such as the government-verified website at go.gov.sg/ptv. Police noted that while some phishing links may mimic government web addresses, they often lack the legitimate “go.gov.sg” domain suffix.
Protective Measures
To mitigate the risk of account compromise, the police strongly advise all Telegram users to enable the “Two-Step Verification” feature in their account settings. This adds a critical layer of security that prevents unauthorized access even if a verification code is accidentally shared. Users are reminded never to share OTPs or verification codes with anyone, regardless of the urgency or the apparent legitimacy of the request. Those who suspect they have been targeted or are in doubt can contact the 24/7 ScamShield hotline at 1799.