SINGAPORE: The Singapore Police Force (SPF) has warned motorists to expect tighter security checks, road restrictions and heavier traffic near Shangri-La Singapore from May 28 to 31 during the 23rd Shangri-La Dialogue.

According to the SPF statement released on May 25, roads around Anderson Road and Orange Grove Road will be affected as ministers, military chiefs, and diplomats arrive for the annual security summit. The event runs from May 29 to 31 at Shangri-La Singapore.

The annual summit has long been one of Singapore’s biggest high-security events. It regularly draws global defence officials, intelligence chiefs, and policymakers for closed-door meetings and public speeches on regional tensions and security issues.

This year’s dialogue comes at a tense period for global politics. Channel NewsAsia (CNA) reported that discussions are expected to focus heavily on the conflict in Iran, tensions in Taiwan, and concerns over the United States’ role in Asia. Vietnamese President To Lam is expected to deliver the keynote address, while US Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth is also scheduled to speak.

Roads near Orchard and Tanglin are expected to slow down

SPF advised motorists to avoid roads near the hotel where possible and use alternative routes instead. Vehicle drivers travelling between Tanglin Road, Stevens Road, Orchard Road, and Balmoral Road are encouraged to reroute through Scotts Road.

Drivers heading towards Ardmore Park will also face temporary access changes. There will be no through road between Ardmore Park lamp post 8 and Anderson Road from 11 pm on May 28 until 5 pm on May 31. Access will instead be through Draycott Park or Draycott Drive.

Commercial vehicles with registration plates beginning with “G”, “W”, “X” or “Y” will not be allowed into Anderson Road during the event period.

Singapore Police Force (SPF)

The restrictions may frustrate some motorists, especially during the busy weekend shopping and hotel period around Orchard Road. Still, large-scale security operations have become routine during major international summits hosted in Singapore.

Hotel parking is limited; illegally parked vehicles may be towed

Parking inside Shangri-La Singapore will also be limited throughout the summit. SPF advised hotel guests to use public transport, taxis or ride-hailing services instead of driving. Authorities said vehicles parked illegally or causing obstruction will be towed away.

Security checks on vehicles entering the area will also be carried out during the summit period. Police warned that those refusing to comply with officers’ instructions could face legal action.

The tighter arrangements demonstrate how security concerns around international summits have changed over the years. High-profile gatherings involving defence and political leaders now routinely feature layered checks, controlled-access zones and aerial restrictions.

Drone operators face hefty penalties

The Civil Aviation Authority of Singapore (CAAS) will also impose a Temporary Restricted Area (TRA) over Shangri-La Singapore during the summit. The restricted airspace covers a one-kilometre radius around the hotel.

Singapore Police Force (SPF)

Drone flights and other aerial activities within the area will be banned during designated periods between May 29 and 31, within the dates and times below:

• May 29: 7.30 am – 11.30 pm

• May 30: 7.30 am – 7.30 pm

• May 31: 7.30 am – 3.30 pm

Under Singapore’s Air Navigation Act, offenders may face fines of up to S$50,000, jail terms of up to two years, or both, for a first offence. Repeat offenders may face fines of up to S$100,000 and prison terms of up to 5 years.

Singapore has steadily tightened drone regulations in recent years, especially around sensitive sites and major events. Authorities have repeatedly warned that even hobby drone flights can create security and safety risks near high-profile international gatherings.

The SPF said members of the public are encouraged to cooperate with officers and follow the temporary arrangements throughout the summit period.

For many Singaporeans, the inconvenience may last only a few days. For security agencies, it is part of the careful balancing act that comes with hosting one of Asia’s most closely watched defence forums.

This article (Shangri-La Dialogue security operations: Police advise motorists to avoid roads near Shangri-La Singapore from May 28 to 31) first appeared on The Independent Singapore News.

SINGAPORE: Singapore police are warning the public about a growing investment scam that begins with something that sounds harmless: a free investing lesson.

Since May 2026, at least 48 cases have been reported, with total losses reaching at least S$3.6 million, according to the Singapore Police Force (SPF). Victims were drawn in through fake social media advertisements promising free investment education before being added to WhatsApp chat groups.

Singapore Police Force (SPF)

Annex A – Examples of Online “Advertisements”

Singapore Police Force (SPF)

Annex A – Examples of Online “Advertisements”

Inside these groups, scammers posed as investment mentors and shared tips, advice and bonus offers.

Singapore Police Force (SPF)

Annex B – Examples of “Investment” Chat Groups

Singapore Police Force (SPF)

Annex B – Examples of “Investment” Chat Groups

Fake group members also posted screenshots showing supposed trading gains, creating the impression that others were making money. The plan was to convince victims that the opportunity was genuine.

From free lessons to real losses

According to SPF, victims were eventually directed to create accounts on fraudulent investment websites or download fake investment apps. They were then instructed to transfer money into bank accounts controlled by scammers.

Some victims were even persuaded to hand over cash or gold to people claiming to represent investment firms. In return, they received invoices designed to make the transactions look legitimate.

Singapore Police Force (SPF)

Annex C – Example of an “Invoice” Received by the Victims

To maintain the illusion, scammers sometimes provided small early returns. Those payouts encouraged victims to invest larger amounts.

The scam usually became apparent only when victims tried to withdraw their supposed profits. By then, the money was gone, and the scammers could no longer be contacted.

Screenshots, testimonials and financial “success stories” keep the scam working

Investment scams are hardly new, but this version combines several familiar tactics into one package. The promise of free financial education lowers people’s guard.

Group chats create social proof, making victims feel they are joining a community rather than dealing with strangers. Screenshots, testimonials and apparent success stories help reinforce that sense of credibility.

Singapore Police Force (SPF)

Annex D – Examples of “Investment” Websites and Applications

For many people, investing has become a bigger topic amid rising interest in wealth-building and retirement planning. Scammers know this and are increasingly tailoring their approaches to look like genuine learning opportunities rather than direct sales pitches, making the scams harder to spot at first glance.

Police advise on how to prevent these investment scams

SPF advised members of the public not to transfer money or hand over valuables to unknown individuals whose identities have not been verified.

The police also encouraged people to activate WhatsApp security settings that prevent unknown users from adding them to chat groups.

Before committing money to any investment, the public should verify the company and its representatives through official channels, including resources provided by the Monetary Authority of Singapore. Checking app reviews and confirming that an investment platform is legitimate can also help reduce risk.

Scams continue to change shape, but the warning signs for the most part remain the same. A promise of easy gains, pressure to act fast and strangers asking for money are still reasons to pause and take a second look; a moment of caution may be worth far more than any promised return.

For more information on scams, members of the public can visit www.scamshield.gov.sg or call the ScamShield Helpline at 1799. Fighting scams is a community effort. Together, we can ACT Against Scams to safeguard our community!

ADD – security features (e.g., activate the privacy function on your device to disallow unknown users from adding you to chat groups). For more information on WhatsApp’s security features, visit https://www.whatsapp.com/security.

CHECK – scam signs against official sources (e.g., the ScamShield app or the ScamShield website at www.scamshield.gov.sg). Verify the authenticity of the investment company by:

• Asking questions to understand the investment opportunities. If the company is unable to answer or avoid answering any questions, be wary.

• Checking on the company, its owners, directors, and management members to assess if the investment opportunities are genuine;

• Confirming the company’s and representatives’ credentials through the Financial Institutions Directory, Register of Representatives, and Investor Alert List on the Monetary Authority of Singapore (MAS)’s website (www.mas.gov.sg);

• Checking that the downloaded applications are legitimate and available on the official application stores, and

• Checking for user reviews and ratings of applications before downloading them, even if they are believed to be legitimate and are available on official application stores.

TELL – authorities, family, and friends if or when you encounter scams. Report any fraudulent transactions to your bank immediately.

Read related: Police uncover footage of AI-generated fake Zoom meeting scam impersonating PM Wong that tricked victim out of S$4.9M

This article (SG police report: S$3.6M lost from “free lessons” investment scams via chat group since May) first appeared on The Independent Singapore News.

SINGAPORE: A 17-year-old is set to face court after a police chase that ended with six vehicles damaged, two people injured, and a long list of alleged traffic offences spanning three separate incidents.

The teenager will be charged in court after allegedly driving at speeds of up to 174km/h on the East Coast Parkway (ECP), running red lights, crashing into multiple vehicles, and fleeing from police.

According to the Singapore Police Force (SPF), the teenager is linked to three separate traffic-related incidents between January 2025 and January 2026.

He faces several charges, including dangerous driving causing hurt, driving while underage, using deregistered vehicles and displaying false licence plates. Investigators also say it wasn’t an isolated incident.

The police chase ended with six vehicles damaged

The most serious incident took place on Jan 16, 2026, at about 10.50 pm. SPF said Traffic Police officers were patrolling along Paya Lebar Road when the driver sped away after spotting them, triggering a pursuit.

Investigations found that the teenager allegedly drove at extreme speeds, reaching 174 km/h on the ECP, where the speed limit is 90 km/h.

Police said he also drove at 96km/h along Guillemard Road, where the speed limit is 40km/h. During the chase, he allegedly beat multiple red lights and drove against traffic along roads including Ubi Avenue 2 and Lorong 28 Geylang.

The pursuit ended after the vehicle collided with several stationary cars. Five vehicles were hit before the car crashed into a sixth vehicle at the junction of Marine Parade Road and Still Road South. The driver of that vehicle and his 15-year-old passenger suffered injuries. SPF said the teenager then ran off on foot after the crash, but was later arrested by Traffic Police officers.

Fake plates and deregistered vehicles

Investigations uncovered additional alleged offences. Police said the car used during the chase was a deregistered vehicle fitted with a false licence plate. Officers also found a vaporiser and a pod inside the vehicle. The Health Sciences Authority investigated the matter but took no further action due to insufficient evidence.

Singapore Police Force (SPF)

Deregistered vehicle driven by the male teenager in the Jan 16, 2026 incident

The teenager is accused of offences including driving without a valid licence, using an uninsured vehicle, failing to stop after accidents, failing to assist injured parties, ignoring police orders to stop and providing false information to authorities.

He took his grandmother’s car without her knowledge

The Jan 16 chase wasn’t the first time the teenager had allegedly been caught behind the wheel. In January 2025, he allegedly took his grandmother’s car without her knowledge after finding the ignition key inside the unlocked vehicle. Police said he drove the car for about an hour before returning it. His grandmother later reported the vehicle missing.

In another incident on Jan 8, 2026, police checks at the Marina Bay Sands Convention Centre carpark led officers to discover that he had allegedly driven a different deregistered vehicle fitted with a false licence plate from Haig Road to the area.

Both incidents have resulted in additional charges, including driving while underage, using uninsured vehicles, taking a vehicle without the owner’s consent and using deregistered vehicles.

Motorists who commit such serious traffic offences will face firm enforcement action

Singapore’s roads are heavily regulated, and cases involving underage drivers are relatively uncommon. What makes this case unusual is the combination of alleged offences across multiple incidents within a short period.

High-speed pursuits, fake licence plates and deregistered vehicles pose risks to drivers, passengers, pedestrians and other road users, who have no warning of the surrounding danger. SPF said motorists who commit such serious traffic offences, including not having valid licences or using deregistered vehicles, will face firm enforcement action.

The police also urged members of the public to report suspected illegal activity and reminded road users that keeping roads safe is a shared responsibility.

Driving is a responsibility, not a thrill

The allegations in this case read like a list of what road users are told never to do: speeding, ignoring traffic lights, driving without a licence and fleeing after crashes.

Most people reach home safely each day because everyone follows the same rules, but when these rules are ignored, innocent motorists end up paying the price. Cases like this are why road safety laws exist in the first place.

This article (SPF: 17-year-old who drove at 174 kmh on ECP to be charged over multiple traffic offences, including dangerous driving and fake licence plates) first appeared on The Independent Singapore News.