Trend Micro has launched Scam Radar in Singapore, a new AI-driven feature within its ScamCheck app designed to detect and block scams in real time. The launch comes as the country faces a growing wave of online fraud, with scammers increasingly turning to advanced technologies such as AI deepfakes and phishing tactics.
Scam Radar operates around the clock, scanning SMS, websites, and messaging platforms for early signals of coordinated scam activity. By analysing both content and behavioural patterns, the feature issues timely alerts and personalised advice, helping users to act quickly and avoid potential financial or reputational losses.
Ashley Millar, Consumer Education Director at Trend Micro, said, “With people in Singapore living much of their lives online, scammers are increasingly using advanced technologies to design more convincing, personalised schemes. In today’s complex scam landscape, staying safe online requires a multi-layered approach – education, caution, digital hygiene, and the right tools. With Scam Radar, Trend Micro ScamCheck becomes a valuable digital ally, providing practical protection and peace of mind for every digital interaction.”
Survey highlights growing exposure to scams
The launch coincides with the release of Trend Micro’s 2025 online scams survey, which revealed that three in five Singapore residents have faced online scam attempts, while one in three reported being directly impacted. The findings also challenge the belief that scams mainly target seniors, showing that all age groups are at risk.
The “sandwich generation” – adults aged between 35 and 55 who care for both children and ageing parents – were found to be particularly vulnerable. Time pressures and emotional strain make them attractive targets for fraudsters, who often exploit stress and decision fatigue.
Fast-money schemes and investment offers emerged as the most effective tactics, deceiving one in four respondents. Other common scams include fake retail promotions and impersonation of trusted contacts. In contrast, scams involving official organisations or upfront payment requests were reported to have lower success rates.
Almost half of respondents (47%) said they feared losing money or damaging their personal reputation. Yet more than half (56%) admitted they mainly rely on intuition and scepticism to detect scams, an approach that can be unreliable under pressure or manipulation.
Tools designed to protect against evolving threats
Scam Radar builds on Trend Micro’s suite of protective features in the ScamCheck app, which aims to help users identify scams with greater speed and accuracy. Alongside real time alerts, the app offers deepfake detection to prevent impersonation during video calls, SMS filtering to block fraudulent texts, and safe browsing tools to guard against harmful websites. A screenshot scanner also allows users to check suspicious ads, messages, or websites instantly.
To protect user privacy, Trend Micro ensures that no scanned content is stored. The app also draws on global threat intelligence, using scam data from around the world to provide a wider perspective beyond local sources.
With online scams continuing to grow in scale and complexity, Trend Micro’s Scam Radar aims to provide an added layer of defence for individuals of all ages, positioning itself as a timely response to Singapore’s pressing cybersecurity challenge.
