Singapore's identity fraud surged 207% amid deepfake usage growth
Singapore recorded the Asia-Pacific's highest surge in identity fraud in 2024, with cases rising 207% year-on-year. The spike is reportedly driven by widespread use of deepfakes and AI-generated synthetic media, which criminals deploy to impersonate individuals and bypass identity verification checks.
What happened
Singapore registered a 207% year-on-year surge in identity fraud cases in 2024, the highest increase in the Asia-Pacific region, according to verification platform Sumsub's Identity Fraud Report.
Deepfakes accounted for 7% of identity fraud cases globally in 2024, with usage skyrocketing four times compared to 2023. Fraudsters use AI-generated synthetic media to impersonate individuals in verification checks and execute financial scams.
Reported impact
The report found a significant 250% year-over-year increase in account takeover fraud globally, where cybercriminals use stolen credentials to gain unauthorized access to victims' accounts.
Fake IDs and altered documents account for 50% of identity fraud cases, with ID cards alone accounting for 70% of fraud involving documentation.
Index analysis
Fraud has become increasingly accessible due to the rise of fraud-as-a-service platforms and AI-driven tools, enabling even amateur criminals to exploit weaknesses in systems.
80% of respondents in the region believe deepfakes influence elections, with Singapore's next polls scheduled for no later than November 2025.
Classification
Sources and evidence
This record was researched and written by the Index, based on the following original reporting.