SINGAPORE \u2013 From a distance, the black ink strokes resemble calligraphy, but take a few steps closer and it becomes clear it is the phrase \u201cYour bank seeks your assistance\u201d.<\/p>\n
Next to the phrase, in smaller characters, is the figure $242 million. That is the amount lost in Singapore in 2025 to government official impersonation scams, in which the phrase is commonly used in the ruse.<\/p>\n
The artwork is part of a collection Maybank Singapore launched on Oct 23 at the Fashion Gallery at Nanyang Academy of Fine Arts Campus 2. The Most Expensive Words exhibition aims to alert the public to common scam hooks and help them recognise red flags early.<\/p>\n
The exhibition, which is free and runs until Nov 1, features calligraphy-style artworks based on phrases in English and Mandarin that are commonly used in different scams.<\/p>\n
One features the words \u201cHigh returns, zero risk\u201d \u2013 a hallmark phrase used by investment scammers in a bid to lure victims into handing over their savings.<\/p>\n
Over $336 million was lost to investment scams in 2025, according to police figures.<\/p>\n
Investment scams and government official impersonation scams were among the top five scam types that year.<\/p>\n
Adam Tan, head of community financial services at Maybank Singapore, said that by putting these words on the wall and attaching their real-world cost, the bank hopes people will recognise the warning signs and pause before making a transfer.<\/p>\n
\u201cScammers do not always need sophisticated methods. Often, they rely on a familiar name, an urgent request or a promise that sounds too good to miss,\u201d he added.<\/p>\n
Singapore\u00a0has lost more than $4 billion to\u00a0scams\u00a0since\u00a02019.<\/p>\n
In the first half of 2026, victims lost $410.6 million<\/span><\/a> across 16,821 reported cases, with eight in 10 victims manipulated into handing their money to scammers.<\/p>\n This showed that instead of gaining direct control of bank accounts, scammers were using social engineering to deceive victims into voluntarily making transactions.<\/p>\n There were 37,308 scam cases reported in the whole of 2025<\/span><\/a>, with victims losing over $913 million that year.<\/p>\n