Commentary, Ecosystem Resources

Building a Scam-Resilient Singapore Through Empathy-Led Education

In this article, Gabriel Tan, Founder of Bamboo Builders, a Singapore-based social enterprise that aims to #BuildChangeBetter. They close gaps in traditional education by equipping individuals with real-world skills to tackle real-world problems. He sheds light on how Singapore can create a more scam-resilient society through empathetic education.

By Gabriel Tan, Founder at Bamboo Builders

Scams have become more than just an inconvenience—they have evolved into a thriving industry. Fueled by advancements in technology and deep-seated human psychology, fraudsters have created a shadow economy that siphons billions of dollars from individuals and businesses worldwide. Singapore, often regarded as a secure haven, has not remained immune. The Strengthening Scam Readiness in Singapore Report (March 2025) paints a stark reality: our confidence in identifying scams is dangerously inflated, while our preparedness to respond is alarmingly insufficient.

Challenges in Scam Preparedness

Low Response Preparedness: One of the most pressing issues is the low response preparedness among Singaporeans. Despite rising awareness, two in three citizens admit they wouldn’t know how to respond effectively to a scam. This gap is particularly evident among parents, who lack clear strategies for handling scams involving their children, leaving families vulnerable. Moreover, the report highlights a concerning reliance on family and friends as primary sources of scam information, which outpaces the guidance provided by government agencies and financial institutions. While community trust is important, misinformation shared within close circles can delay or prevent appropriate actions, allowing scammers to operate undetected for longer periods.
Overconfidence in Digital Natives: Another alarming trend is the overconfidence in digital natives. According to the report, one in three Singaporeans has fallen victim to a scam. Among those aged 18 to 34—digital natives who are deeply integrated into the digital economy—this figure rises to nearly 50%. Contrary to popular belief, the elderly are no longer the primary target demographic; young professionals, who are constantly online and financially active, are just as susceptible. Their frequent engagement with e-commerce, social media, and investment apps makes them prime targets for fraudsters. Nevertheless, a false sense of security persists: 84% of Singaporeans believe they can spot a scam, but when tested, only two in five correctly identified phishing emails. This overconfidence is most pronounced among teenagers, 98% of whom claim they can detect scams despite their limited exposure to such threats. Their increasing financial independence, coupled with this misplaced confidence, positions them as high-risk targets.
The AI Challenge – Technology Meets Human Psychology: The landscape of scams has grown more complex with the rise of artificial intelligence. Gone are the days of poorly worded emails from “Nigerian princes”. Today, scams are sophisticated, utilising AI-generated deepfake videos, hyper-personalised phishing attempts, and social engineering tactics that mimic voices and writing styles with alarming precision. Only 5% of Singaporeans express high confidence in detecting AI-generated fraud, and this lack of preparedness is especially pronounced among the elderly, who struggle with digital literacy. AI is no longer just a tool for scammers; it’s a powerful amplifier, allowing deception to occur on an unprecedented scale. The fight against fraud is no longer about identifying grammatical errors—it’s about understanding human psychology and the precision of machine learning.

However, AI also holds potential for good. Tools like Scam Analytics and the Tactical Intervention System (SATIS), developed by GovTech, are already being used to combat scams by identifying and neutralising malicious websites. The urgency for everyone to understand how AI can be used in both malicious and constructive ways cannot be overstated. A well-rounded understanding of AI’s role in scam prevention is critical to becoming “scam-ready.”

Recommendations for Improving Scam Readiness

Addressing scam readiness requires more than just awareness—it demands a transformative approach to education that fosters empathy and equips individuals with the practical skills necessary to build digital resilience. This approach goes beyond traditional awareness campaigns, aiming to empower individuals to protect themselves and their communities. Bamboo Builders’ mission aligns with this goal, i.e. to develop innovative educational experiences that foster empathy, practical skills, and entrepreneurial mindsets to create sustainable solutions for community challenges

One example of this approach is the SGScamWISE (Well-Informed, Secured, and Empowered), a national education programme supported by Google.org. This programme is rooted in three approaches:

1. Empathy-Led Education

SGScamWISE takes a deeper, more holistic approach to scam prevention, focusing on empathy-first education. Participants are encouraged to understand not only the tactics used by scammers but also the psychological techniques they employ. This comprehensive understanding is crucial for developing effective prevention strategies and providing robust community support.

2. Real World Learning

SGScamWISE offers real-world learning experiences. By collaborating with government agencies, corporations, and research institutions, the programme incorporates up-to-date case studies and practical simulations to ensure scam prevention strategies evolve with emerging threats. Vulnerable groups such as seniors and youth are specifically targeted, with tailored sessions to help them spot AI-generated content, such as deepfakes. The use of interactive simulations and games further enhances participants’ practical detection skills, emphasising pattern recognition and intuition rather than rote memorisation.

3. Community Empowerment

Lastly, the programme also harnesses the power of community empowerment, utilising the multiplier effect. Each individual trained becomes an educator within their community, thus creating a network of informed citizens who can protect themselves and others. Resources are developed to help participants discuss digital risks with their families and friends. This is crucial because research shows that personal connections are often the most trusted sources of scam-related support.

Building Change Better: A Whole-of-Society Approach

Scammers are constantly evolving, using AI, data leaks, and human psychology to manipulate and exploit. Our response must adapt accordingly. While no society can claim complete immunity from scams, we can build a collective shield through education and empathy. By equipping people with practical skills and a deeper understanding of human behaviour, we can minimise risks and detect deception early. Education, therefore, becomes a powerful catalyst for lasting change, forging a society that is united and resilient against the ever-evolving threat of scams.

At Bamboo Builders, we are committed to building change in a meaningful way. Scam preparedness is an important area that needs attention. It is only by working together—educators, businesses, families, and communities— can we create a society that is not only aware of scams but also resilient against them.

We are working with government agencies like the Singapore Police Force and the Infocomm Media Development Authority (IMDA), in support of the national Digital for Life movement to educate Singaporeans on scams and the actions they can take to protect themselves and others.

We invite you to join us in this effort. Education is not only a strong defense against scams, but also a crucial foundation for building a more resilient future.

About the Writer

Gabriel Tan is the Founder of Bamboo Builders, a Singapore-based social enterprise dedicated to #BuildingChangeBetter. He has worked with over 10,000 youths to initiate hundreds of projects, impacting thousands across both urban and rural communities in Singapore and ASEAN. Gabriel has also consulted for governments, international foundations, and schools, and has developed social entrepreneurship curricula.

His innovative and human-centered approach to addressing systemic issues has earned him local and international recognition, including awards such as the Impact Entrepreneur of the Year by the Singapore Government, and recognition as one of the Top 10 Social Entrepreneurs in ASEAN by the Australian Government and the ASEAN Foundation.

Gabriel is a certified Trainer with Apple and the Ministry of Education in Singapore, and holds a degree in Business Management from Singapore Management University.

He regularly engages with various sectors of society, including youths, seniors, and persons with disabilities (PWDs), and is also an avid floorball player.

About the Organisation

Bamboo Builders is a Singapore-based social enterprise that aims to #BuildChangeBetter. Believing every person should feel confident about their future, they close gaps in traditional education by empowering individuals with real-world skills to multiply real-world impact.

Since 2017, Bamboo Builders has trained tens of thousands of leaders in launching hundreds of initiatives that have made significant impact across Singapore and ASEAN. Their work spans across diverse communities, including youths, seniors, persons with disabilities, inmates, domestic workers and more. They have also been supported by Google.org, ASEAN Foundation and other international foundations, governments, corporate and schools.

Find out more: https://www.bamboobuilders.org/

The views and recommendations expressed in this article are solely of the author/s and do not necessarily reflect the views and position of the Tech for Good Institute.