Singapore caps postpaid SIMs at 10 to crush "mule" scams

The new limit will apply only to new subscriptions.

The Infocomm Media Development Authority (IMDA), in consultation with the Singapore Police Force, will limit individuals to 10 postpaid SIM cards across all telcos from 28 February.

The new limit will apply only to new subscriptions. Existing users who already hold more than 10 postpaid SIM cards may keep them, but will not be allowed to add more.

SIM cards under company or corporate plans, as well as data-only SIMs that cannot make calls or send SMS, will also not be affected.

The move tightens rules introduced in April 2024, which capped postpaid SIM cards at 10 per telco.

The measures were put in place to restrict scammers’ ability to abuse the use of SIM cards amidst a rise in SIM mules purchasing postpaid cards in bulk across different retailers, according to IMDA.

"After purchasing the SIM cards, the mules would hand them over to criminal syndicates or scammers, who would then use them for illicit purposes," the authority added.

From 30 December 2025, scam syndicate members face mandatory caning of at least six strokes, whilst scam mules face up to 12 strokes and will be barred from registering new SIM cards.

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