Data on scam victims accepting referrals to victim care cadre programme or community support services and reasons for declining support

Question:

Mr Gabriel Lam: To ask the Senior Minister, Coordinating Minister for National Security and Minister for Home Affairs among scam victims offered referral to the Victim Care Cadre Programme or community support services in the past two years (a) what proportion of the victims accepted the referral and received support; (b) whether the reasons for declining or not accessing support are reviewed; and (c) what changes, if any, have resulted from these findings.

Answer:

Mr K Shanmugam, Senior Minister, Coordinating Minister for National Security and Minister for Home Affairs:

1. In 2024 and 2025, more than 150 scam victims received support under the Victim Care Cadre Programme (VCCP) each year. The Police do not track the proportion of scam victims who are offered referral to the VCCP.

2. Victims are not required to provide reasons for declining support. However, those who receive support are invited to provide feedback at the end of a session with a Victim Care Officer (VCO). The Singapore Police Force (SPF) also reviews scam victimisation research to identify best practices for scam victim support. These data points are used to enhance VCO training and ensure that the VCCP continues to address the needs of scam victims.