News
Singapore passes law mandating caning for scammers but not for cheating spouses
In early November 2025, Singapore’s Parliament passed the Criminal Law (Miscellaneous Amendments) Bill, introducing mandatory public caning for individuals convicted of scamming-related offenses.
This includes: Scammers and syndicate recruiters: minimum of 6 strokes, up to 24 strokes depending on severity, scam mules and enablers: up to 12 strokes, at the court’s discretion.
The move comes in response to a dramatic surge in online fraud, with over $3.7 billion lost to scams between 2020 and mid-2025. Authorities say the new penalties are designed to serve as a strong deterrent.
No law against cheating in marriage
Contrary to viral claims, cheating on a spouse is not punishable by public caning under this law. Singapore’s legal system does not criminalize adultery, and there is no official training program for “Public Caning Officers” targeting marital infidelity.
The misinformation likely stems from social media exaggerations or satire. While Singapore is known for strict laws including corporal punishment for certain crimes—personal relationships remain outside the scope of criminal enforcement.
The law has sparked debate over human rights and proportional punishment, but Singapore’s government insists it is a necessary step to protect citizens from organized financial crime. The Ministry of Home Affairs has begun implementing enforcement protocols, but there is no indication of public flogging for general crimes or personal misconduct.
