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A new app has been launched to help users spot potential scams by analysing and flagging suspicious conversations, including those involving numbers that have not previously been reported.<\/p>\n
Called AntiScam Pango, the app uses artificial intelligence to analyse all messages to flag suspicious conversations as they unfold.<\/p>\n
Developed by the Government Technology Agency (GovTech) and Google DeepMind, the app was unveiled on Nov 4 by Acting Minister for Manpower Jasmin Lau at GovTech\u2019s biennial STACK Conference 2026, held at the Sands Expo and Convention Centre.<\/p>\n
News of the development of this on-device scam detection model was first announced in October on the sidelines of the Singapore International Cyber Week.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt checks messages on WhatsApp, Telegram and SMS, flags the ones that look suspicious, and warns you in real time, before you take further actions,\u201d said Lau, who is also Senior Minister of State for Digital Development and Information and Minister-in-charge of GovTech.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe analysis happens on your phone itself, so your messages stay private,\u201d Lau said.<\/p>\n
For a start, Android users can download the beta app from the Google Play Store.<\/p>\n
Once users grant the necessary permissions, AntiScam Pango runs in the background.<\/p>\n
When AntiScam Pango flags a potentially suspicious conversation, it explains the indicators that suggest it could be a scam.<\/p>\n
This approach aims to help users recognise social engineering tactics, through which scammers manipulate people into trusting them and taking actions that may put their money or personal information at risk.<\/p>\n
Users can then decide whether to continue the exchange, report it or take precautions, such as independently verifying the sender\u2019s identity. The app does not automatically block or delete messages.<\/p>\n
Message content is not sent to external servers unless the user chooses to report it, GovTech said.<\/p>\n
Neither the agency nor its partners can access users\u2019 personal information or private messages through the app, it added.<\/p>\n
AntiScam Pango\u2019s AI model was trained on scam patterns and scenarios to recognise manipulation tactics and characteristics commonly found in scams targeting people here.<\/p>\n
Training data comes from ScamShield, developed by GovTech\u2019s Open Government Products unit, the police and the National Crime Prevention Council.<\/p>\n
ScamShield blocks calls from blacklisted numbers reported by users. It also uses AI to assess whether phone numbers, messages or links submitted by users are likely linked to scams. Its enhanced app has recorded 1.61 million installations since August 2024.<\/p>\n
Training data also comes from an in-house AI-powered classifier tool that evaluates suspicious web links.<\/p>\n
\u201cWith AntiScam Pango, we want to show people that they do not have to choose between protection from scams and keeping their personal messages private,\u201d said GovTech\u2019s director of trust and safety Mark Chen.<\/p>\n
\u201cOur collaboration with Google DeepMind is pushing the boundaries of what small AI models can do to deliver both,\u201d he added.<\/p>\n
AntiScam Pango adds to the existing protections offered by ScamShield, which helps users block scam calls, filter suspicious SMS messages, and check or report potentially fraudulent messages, phone numbers and links.<\/p>\n
Unlike ScamShield, AntiScam Pango proactively assesses conversations as messages arrive across supported messaging platforms, rather than relying on users to submit them for checking. It can also flag suspicious exchanges involving numbers that have not previously been identified as risky.<\/p>\n
GovTech said it is exploring the integration of AntiScam Pango into ScamShield, but no timeline has been provided.<\/p>\n
The agency is also assessing other messaging platforms to expand Pango\u2019s coverage beyond WhatsApp, Telegram and SMS.<\/p>\n
For now, AntiScam Pango is available only on Android because the operating system allows apps to request access to incoming notifications from messaging services.<\/p>\n
GovTech is exploring ways to offer similar protection on other operating systems, including Apple\u2019s iOS, while retaining on-device analysis and the same privacy and security standards.<\/p>\n
Source: The Straits Times<\/p>\n
Note: <\/i><\/b>This article was written by Lee Li Ying and first appeared in The Straits Times on 4 November 2026.<\/i><\/p>\n<\/div>\n
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